brain plasticity and hemispheres

1.4b

brain plasticity/neuro plasticity

the brain can change and adapt is synaptic connections based on new situations

neurogenesis

the process of the brain creating new neurons through life

hemispherectomy

a procedure of removing or disconnecting one half of the brain

corpus callosum

a thick bundle of neurons that links the two hemispheres of the brain

split brain patients/resarch

corpus callosum is severed, sensory info and signals are still sent— not able to say what’s in left area because broca’s area is in left brain

lateralization

the two hemispheres of the brain have specific functions

localization

specific parts of the brain have specific function

association area

areas in the brain without a specialized function make up majority of forebrain

EEG (electroencephalograph)

places electrides in the skull to identify electrical activity in dif parts of the brain—can determine seizure or sleep disorders 

CAT or CT (computerized axial tomography)

primarily used to identify issues with brain structure, black and white, many xrays overlayed on each other— can identify blood clots and tumors SHOWS STRUCTURE

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

tube with strong magnetic forces that take atoms out of normal rotation, highly detailed image SHOWS STRUCTURE

PET (positron emission tomography)

non harmful injection of radioactive substance, glucose flows to dif parts of brain, computer tracks glucose with colorful images SHOWS FUNCTION

FMRI (functional MRI)

shows structure and function of different brain regions in high res images, where brain ox levels change when individuals perform various tasks, shows in real time