Lecture 10: Language and Lateralization

Broca’s Area

Central to language processing, especially, in producing speech

Wernicke’s Area

Focused on language comprehension

Connectionist Model

Explains interaction between different brain regions in processing language tasks

Connectionist Model Processes

1. Visual cortex: analyzes written word images

2. Angular gyrus: decodes visual information into recognized words, linking them with spoken forms in Wernicke’s area

3. Arcuate fasciculus: transmits word information to broca’s area

4. Broca’s area: forms a motor plan to say the word

5. Motor cortex: executes the speech plan

Types of Aphasia

• Nonfluent (Broca’s) Aphasia

• Fluent (Wernicke’s) Aphasia

• Global Aphasia

• Conduction Aphasia

FOXP2 Gene

Related to language development; variations in this gene affect communicative abilities in animals and humans

Critical Period

A period of development when exposure or practice must occur for skills to develop

Sensitive Period

A period in development when exposure or practice will most facilitate the development of skills

Left hemisphere

Controlling ipsilateral movement, language capabilities (e.g. Broca’s area)

Right hemisphere

Spatial, emotional, musical abilities, some memory tasks

Corpus Callosum

• Largest cerebral commisure

• Transfers learned information from one hemisphere to another

Split-Brain Research

• Each hemisphere can learn and exhibit functions independently

• Patients can respond differently based on which hemisphere has perceived stimuli