In your psychology class, you learned about the famous case in which railroad worker Phineas Gage suffered a severe head injury. An iron rod he was using hit blasting powder, causing the rod to shoot up and through his head. Phineas Gage survived with his basic abilities intact, although his personality underwent a profound change. Phineas Gage's case BEST illustrates the idea that: the brain adapts its functioning in response to damage. new neurons are created after the brain has been damaged. damage to the brainstem can cause personality change. specific parts of the brain correspond to specific functions.