Neuroscience and Language Disorders Review

Flashcards covering key concepts and terms related to neuroscience, language disorders, and associated medical conditions.

Hemispheric Lateralization

Localization of function in one hemisphere or the other; for example, Broca’s area is for language in the left hemisphere.

Split-Brain Operation

A surgical procedure where the corpus callosum connecting the right and left hemispheres is severed to treat epilepsy.

Dorsal Pathway

Pathway connecting the superior temporal gyrus to Broca’s area, converting sound to movements necessary for speech.

Ventral Pathway

Pathway connecting the superior temporal sulcus to the inferior and middle temporal gyrus, converting sound to meaning.

Alexia

Inability to read or recognize letters, despite having normal speech and comprehension.

Agraphia

Inability to write, often associated with neurological conditions affecting language.

Dyslexia

The most common learning disability characterized by difficulty learning to read, often related to genetic factors and brain asymmetry.

Transcortical Aphasia

A type of aphasia characterized by preserved ability to repeat words with impaired language comprehension or production.

Broca’s Aphasia

A language disorder resulting in difficulty producing speech and slight comprehension deficits, while still understanding others.

Wernicke’s Aphasia

A form of aphasia where speech is fluent but nonsensical, with severe comprehension difficulties.

Conduction Aphasia

A type of aphasia where speech remains fluent but comprehension is fair; difficulty with repetition due to damage in arcuate fasciculus.

Global Aphasia

A total or partial loss of all language functions, impacting both comprehension and production of speech.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

A neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated head injuries, resulting in symptoms like dementia and impulsivity.

Prion Disease

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies caused by abnormal proteins called prions, leading to neurocognitive disorders.

Epilepsy

A neurological condition characterized by recurrent, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain, causing seizures.

Multiple Sclerosis

An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the oligodendrocytes, leading to demyelination and affecting white matter.