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Specialization in the Cerebral Hemispheres. Sidney Brunson Blakely Powell Paige Dillenbeck Phillip Skelton Evelyn Peirce . In many cases, the functioning of the left and right hemispheres is symmetrical. The same functions are located in roughly the same places on each hemisphere
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Specialization in the Cerebral Hemispheres Sidney Brunson Blakely Powell Paige Dillenbeck Phillip Skelton Evelyn Peirce
In many cases, the functioning of the left and right hemispheres is symmetrical. • The same functions are located in roughly the same places on each hemisphere • However, the hemispheres do differ-each hemisphere is specialized for particular abilities
Cortical Localization • By the 1700s, people knew that brain injury could cause paralysis/ loss of sensation • By the 1800s, it was shown that specific functions would be lost if particular brain areas were destroyed • Scientists were beginning to debate the notion of cortical localization (localization of function) • The idea that particular areas of the human brain are associated with particular functions
Pierre Paul Broca • French surgeon and neuroanatomist in the 1860s • Treated a series of patients that had difficulty speaking but could understand written and spoken language • Autopsies showed brain damage in the lower left frontal lobe • This area is now known as Broca’s Area • Plays a crucial role in speech production
Karl Wernicke • German neurologist • Discovered an area in the left hemisphere that, when damaged, produced a different type of language disturbance • Patients could not understand written/spoken language but could speak quickly and easily • Their speech sometimes made no sense • Autopsies found damage in the lower left frontal lobe • This area is now known as Wernicke’s Area
The split brain • A split brain operation is used to stop or reduce recurring seizures in severe cases by cutting the corpus callosum. • The corpus callosum is the thick band of axons that connects the two hemispheres of the brain.
The left hemisphere • Specializes in words and letters, language sounds, verbal memory ,speech ,writing, reading, and grammar rules.
The right hemisphere • The right hemisphere of the brain specializes in faces, emotional expression, nonverbal memory, emotional tone of speech, sense of direction, music, and geometric patterns.
Roger Sperry • Roger Sperry is known for his research using split brain patients to investigate the relationship between brain and behavior. • In the 1960s, Roger Sperry began to unravel the mystery of the left and right hemispheres
Plasticity • Plasticity is the brain’s ability to change function and structure. • the two types of plasticity are: • Functional-the brain’s ability to shift functions from damaged to undamaged brain areas • Structural –the brain’s ability to change its physical structure in response to learning , active practice, or environmental influences