Localisation of Brain Function Flashcards
what does localisation of brain function refer to?
it refers to the concept that different processes and behaviors situate in specific brain areas
What is localisation of brain function also known as?
Cortical specialisation
Examples of cortical specialisation include
Location of voluntary movements of the muscles to the back of the frontal lobe in both hemispheres, right and left controlling either side of the body
Damage to the frontal lobe (which controls voluntary movements) would mean
Loss of control over fine movements
Where is the somatosensory cortex?
It is at the front of the parietal lobe along the post central gyrus and processes sensory information from the skin
Historically, evidence for the principle of localisation was established through
Unique cases of neurological damage
What’s the most famous study into localisation?
Phineas Gage (1848)
Phineas Gage Date
1848
What happened to Phineas Gage?
An accidental explosion forced Gage’s tamping iron through his cheek, behind his left eye and it exited through the top of his skull, removing most of his left frontal lobe
Did Gage survive?
Yes
What happened to Gage after the accident?
He changed from being calm and reserved to someone quick tempered and rude
What conclusion was drawn about Gage
The frontal lobe had a role in regulating mood
Not long after the conclusion about the frontal lobe playing an important role in regulating mood, it was confirmed by
Paul Broca
How did Broca confirm that the frontal lobe was important in mood regulation?
From a patient named “Tan” (the only syllable that he could produce)
What could Tan do/not do?
Tan could understand spoken language but was unable to speak or write
8 patients with similar defects as Tan all had
Similar lesions on their left frontal hemisphere but patients with lesions on their right frontal hemisphere didn’t suffer with these problems
Tan and the other patients did what?
They confirmed Broca’s (1865) contention that a ‘language centre’ in the back of the left frontal lobe is crucial for speech production
Karl Lashleys belief
the extent of localisation is dependant on the function, basic motor functions are localised but higher cognative functions such as learning are not
what did Karl Lashley do?
he removed 10-50% of the cortex of rats that were learning a maze
what did Karl Lashley find?
that no area was more important then another - after the injury, the effects were due to the extent of damage done rather then where
who came up with “Equipotentiality theory”?
Karl Lashley
what does Equipotentiality theory propose?
when the brain is damaged, other areas of the brain cry and compensate for the damaged area by doing it’s job
Danelli et al date
2013
Danelli et al case study name
EB
