Brain Surgeons: Between Life and Death

Twelve-year-old Matthew faces a gruelling two-day operation to remove an extremely rare tumour deep in his mid-brain, next to his pineal gland. This is a region key to the functioning of sight, muscles, hearing and sensation. With access to the hospital's team of leading paediatric surgeons, the programme follows the doctors' attempts at a delicate and risky operation, which could save Matthew's life.

In this episode, 30-year-old Dan and 39-year-old Laura must undergo surgery while remaining awake, allowing the surgeons to map the functioning of their brains. For Dan and Laura and their families, the question remains: will they be the same people after the surgery is completed? Detailed computer-generated graphics animating the MRI scans reveal how the specific functions of the patients' brains have been affected, casting new light on the mysteries and marvels of the brain.