Sources Of Brain Damage

Front 1

Anterior temporal lobectomy

Back 1

-Performed because of epilepsy (abnormal electrical activity)
-Remove about 1/3 of the hippocampus
-Surgery can take place either on the left OR on the right
-Source: benign tumor in the hippocampus in the temporal lobe that disrupts functions
-Learn about: functional localization

Front 2

Stroke

Back 2

-The sudden loss of blood supply to specific regions of the brain
-Blood brings oxygen and nutrients
-Couple be a blockage in a major artery or an artery could burst and hemorrhage
-Usually occurs in older individuals (~60 years)
-After stroke, can't test them right away because symptoms are very acute and deficits are very pronounced due to swelling in the brain (diaschisis), so that intact areas cannot express themselves
-Have to wait 3 months before any testing
-Damage: unilateral and focal
-Learn about: functional localization

Front 3

Tumors

Back 3

-Grow very slowly = do not provide very good cases because brain has the opportunity to reorganize itself
-Grow very quickly = leads to death quite quickly and leaves only a small window for studying

Front 4

Traumatic brain injury

Back 4

-Not a good source because damage is diffuse (various areas are involved)
-e.g., hit on the head, car accidents, burglary, etc.

Front 5

Veterans coming back from war

Back 5

-Modern weapons wreck such havoc that damage is usually quite diffuse (all over the place)
-Not useful for localization