Actress Jordana Brewster revealed she underwent brain surgery while awake to treat a cavernous malformation [1].

The disclosure highlights the complexities of neurosurgery and the specific techniques used to preserve a patient's cognitive and linguistic abilities during high-risk procedures.

Brewster shared the details of the experience during an interview on the SHE MD Podcast on June 30 [1]. She said that the surgery took place in 2020 [1]. The procedure required her to remain conscious so that neurosurgeons could monitor her language function in real time, a method designed to avoid damaging critical areas of the brain [1].

During the operation, Brewster described a process of constant cognitive testing. "I was on my side and there was someone in front of me showing me cards and sort of testing my language," Brewster said [1]. She said that if she failed to provide a word association or could not answer a question, the medical team knew they had reached a sensitive area of the brain and needed to stay away from it [1].

According to reports, Brewster was diagnosed with the condition at age 28 [1]. The actress is currently 46 years old [3].

Cavernous malformations are clusters of abnormal blood vessels in the brain. While some remain asymptomatic, others can cause seizures or neurological deficits. Awake craniotomies allow surgeons to map the brain's functional anatomy, ensuring that the removal of the malformation does not result in permanent loss of speech, or motor skills [1].

““I was on my side and there was someone in front of me showing me cards and sort of testing my language.””

Brewster's account provides a public look at the 'awake craniotomy,' a specialized surgical approach used when lesions are located near 'eloquent' areas of the brain. By utilizing real-time linguistic feedback, surgeons can maximize the removal of abnormal tissue while minimizing the risk of post-operative disability, illustrating the intersection of cognitive psychology and neurosurgery.