Scientists want to learn about the brain of Fiji man confined in chicken coop in early childhood

From the New Zealand Herald:

A Fijian man who spent his early years abandoned in a chicken coop could be coming to Auckland for tests that may increase understanding of how the human brain works.

Sujit Kumar, (pictured right) who has no language and had hardly any "human" skills when discovered - he pecked his food and perched - has astonished carers at the progress he has made.

Scientists and Sujit's guardian, Elizabeth Clayton, an Australian who lives in Fiji, say the main reason for exploring Sujit's brain is to better focus his rehabilitation.

But they believe the scan results could help with understanding of other brain conditions, from dyslexia and brain damage to the effects of a stroke.

Now 36, the man known as "chicken boy" is probably unique and is described as having the mental age of a 1- or 2-year-old.

He missed key windows of opportunity in his brain development yet appears
to be learning, leading researchers to ponder whether scans of his brain could reveal clues about the ability of the human brain to change and rewire well into adulthood, a phenomenon known as brain plasticity.

Sujit has made baby steps, but for someone left to fend with the family chickens until around 8 years old, and who then spent more than 20 years tied up in an old people's home, the baby steps are huge.

Ethics approval is still to be sought for the tests but a neuropsychologist and brain plasticity expert from the Netherlands, Dr Margriet Sitskoorn, hopes to work in conjunction with Auckland University's department of psychology to give Sujit detailed scans to see how his brain responds to various stimuli, particularly to see if neural pathways for language exist.

Sujit still cannot speak, yet appears to be beginning to understand certain words or cues.

Elizabeth Clayton, who discovered Sujit in the old people's home about six years ago and became his therapist and protector, says her dream is for Sujit to one day speak.

"I don't think he'll ever be totally independent ... There's a slim chance he will speak, and you can never say never."

The main thing is for him to become as independent as possible, she says.

"Because when he's 55 or 65 there won't be any interest and I won't be around."