Case Studies

Question 1

Phineas Gage (1848)

Answer 1

Railroad worker survived iron rod driven through his skull, damaging his frontal lobe.
Evidence linking frontal lobe to personality and behavior regulation
Demo role in cognitive/ emotional functions
Advances in neuroscience and neuropsychology through interest
Basis for modern theories of brain localization

Question 2

Roger Sperry (1959 - 1968)

Answer 2

Role of Corpus Callosum in communication
Split brain surgery of cats and monkeys
Relieved epilepsy by severing Corpus callosum evidence that hemispheres work independently from each other

Question 3

Split Brain Procedure

Answer 3

Participants who have undergone surgery or suffered an accident to sever the Corpus Callosum
Focused on fixed point to either right or left visual field
Left - draw matching object not name it
Right - name object or word

Question 4

What is optic chiasm?

Answer 4

Point where the optic nerves partially cross over to the opposite side

Question 5

Sperry Findings

Answer 5

Corpus Callosum required for functioning brain
Left = understanding language and speech articulation
Right = unable to verbalize but represent visually

Question 6

Walter Freeman (1936-1945)

Answer 6

Performed frontal lobotomy
‘Believed Thalamus controlled emotion (source of mental illness)
By severing neural connection between Thalamus and Prefrontal Cortex he could stabilize personality by eliminating emotion
Abandoned due to high critisicm and the advent of antipsychotic meds (1950s)

Question 7

Procedure of Trans- Orbital Frontal Lobotomy

Answer 7

Orbitoclast inserted under eyelid above tear duct
Hammer tap into frontal lobe
Instrument moved side to side to severe connection

Question 8

Post procedure of Trans- Orbital Frontal Lobotomy

Answer 8

Monitored for immediate response
Minimal follow-up
Some reduced symptoms and some severe side affects - personality changes, cognitive impairments, death