Elliot tested well on IQ, memory, learning and language. His scores aren’t all that remarkable until you consider one important fact: he’s missing part of his brain.

During surgery that ultimately saved his life, Elliot’s ventromedial prefrontal cortex was removed. In case you’re not a neuroscientist, that’s the lower front part of your brain responsible for processing emotions.

Following the surgery, everything seemed fine. Elliot’s IQ didn’t drop and he remained well aware of the world around hi...