Fonseka, C.2014-10-292014-10-292000The Ceylon Medical Journal. 2000; 45(4): pp.156-1570009-0875 (Print)http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1437Indexed in MEDLINEBACKGROUND: Whether the human brain is nothing but an advanced computer is a matter of inconclusive debate. This paper contributes to that debate. METHOD: Critical reasoning based on evidence provided by the history of a woman who complained of amnesia after each of two separate acts of attempted suicide. FINDINGS: A life-threatening tendency (suicidal impulses) may be countered by a functional imperfection (selective amnesia) or a feigned malfunction (malingering). INTERPRETATION: Some aspects of brain function may depend on operations that no hitherto invented computer can duplicate.Amnesia-chemically inducedAmnesia-physiopathologyBrain-physiopathologyDrug OverdosePentobarbital-poisoningPhilosophy, MedicalSuicide, AttemptedCase ReportPhysiology