Please forgive the rudimentary

[c3success]

Please forgive the rudimentary nature of this question and any breach of etiquette I may be  guilty of regarding topic and posting appropriateness but after an extensive web search I have been unable to find any relevant information or answers. I am a fiction writer looking for a disease/disorder/injury that could cause a progressive deterioration of basic cognitive functions but that may hypothetically stimulate other areas of the brain to the effect of having hallucinations or even an epiphany or breakthrough. Essentially, while losing basic brain functions the sufferer unlocks other dormant capacities. Is there any affliction that can even remotely be described as having these characteristics? Again, I am a fiction writer so the criteria may be stretched pretty thin. Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Steffen]

I have the strange feeling that I know this question.

Please have a look at the other topic in this forum: http://www.neuroscience-forum.net/clinical_neuroscience/laymans_silly_question-t172.0.html