Brain Plasticity & specialization

Plasticity

refers to the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, and environmental changes.

• Through processes like synaptic pruning, sprouting of new connections, and changes in neural pathways, the brain can adapt and rewire itself to regain lost functions or learn new ones.

Split Brain Research

studies individuals who have undergone a surgical procedure called corpus callosotomy, which disconnects the two hemispheres of the brain.

• Primarily done as a treatment for severe epilepsy.

• Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which can sometimes originate from abnormal electrical activity spreading between the two hemispheres of the brain.

contralateral hemispheric organization

The phenomenon where each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.

-This means that the sensory information received by one side of the body is processed by the opposite hemisphere of the brain

Hemispheric Specialization

explored through split brain research, refers to the concept that each hemisphere of the brain has specialized functions and abilities.

• This research helps uncover the distinct roles of each hemisphere in tasks such as language processing, spatial awareness, and motor control.

Linguistic Processing

the complex cognitive processes involved in understanding and producing language.

• An example is when in the brain is when you hear someone speaking and immediately comprehend the meaning of their words.

Broca’s area

located in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the frontal lobe, that is responsible for speech production and language processing.

• It plays a crucial role in the formation of grammatically correct sentences and the coordination of the muscles involved in speech.

Wernicke’s area

region located in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the temporal lobe, that is involved in language comprehension and understanding spoken and written language.

• It helps to interpret the meaning of words and sentences, allowing individuals to comprehend and process language.

Wernicke’s Aphasia

language disorder caused by damage to Wernicke's area in the left hemisphere of the brain, typically resulting from stroke or brain injury.

• Exhibit fluent speech but have difficulty understanding spoken and written language, as well as producing meaningful and coherent speech.

• They may use nonsensical or inappropriate words and sentences, making communication challenging.

Electroencephalogram “EEG”

non-invasive neuroimaging technique used to record the electrical activity of the brain.

• Involves placing electrodes on the scalp to detect and measure the electrical signals produced by neurons in the brain.

• Commonly used to diagnose and monitor various neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, and brain injuries.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging “fMRI”

neuroimaging technique used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels.

• It provides detailed images of the brain's structure and function, allowing researchers to observe which areas of the brain are active during specific tasks or stimuli.

Lesioning

research technique used to study brain function by intentionally damaging or destroying specific areas of the brain in experimental animals.

• This can be achieved through methods such as surgical removal, chemical injection, or electrical stimulation.