Brain Plasticity (neuroplasticity):
After damage, the brain has the amazing ability to reorganize and repair neural pathways. Especially in young people the brain can compensate for damaged area based on new experience. This subject has been expressively studied in rats where the shape and function of their brains changed after damage. Since it is difficult to find many patients who have had brain damage and exhibited brain plasticity, studies on humans are not very widespread. Additionally, brain plasticity is not just relevant to victims of brain damage, it also effects all of us throughout our lives. As we grow and experience new thing and different environments, our brains change and remold. This idea contradicts the concept that our brains are static and instead suggests that our brains are dynamic. There are two types of brain plasticity. Functional and Structural Brain Plasticity. Functional Plasticity, is when our brains move functions from damaged areas to non-damaged area and Structural Brain Plasticity refers to our brain's structure changing as a result of learning |
Damage to the Bronca's Area:
Located in the left frontal lobe (at least for most people- in some left handed people, Broca's area is on the right side), this areas controls the muscles in our mouth involved in speech. Speaking is a complicated task and we have a whole area devoted just to talking. If you damage Broca's area (called Broca's Aphasia) you will be unable to talk. Damage to the Wernicke's Area: Wernicke's area is located in our left temporal lobe and is responsible for interpreting BOTH written and spoken speech. You use Wernicke's area both the read and to listen. If you damage Wernicke's Area (Wernicke's Aphasia) you would be unable to understand what you are reading or hearing. Strokes: Hemorrhagic Stroke: This type of stroke is caused when blood leaks into brain tissue. It accounts for about thirteen percent of brain damage cases. Most of the time the blood vessel that ruptures is weakened due to either an aneurysm or an arteriovenous malformation. Ischemic Stroke: This type of stroke is caused when a clot stops blood supply to an area of the brain. This type accounts for about 87 percent of all strokes. Most clots that cause this type of stroke are cause by large fatty deposits. Stroke can lead to progressive brain damage and decreased mental capacity. Lesions: Lesions that occur in the brain are helpful in identifying functions of various locations. |