In the first part of class, we learned about the intrinsic structure of all our brains. Specifically, we learned how our brains our divided into two hemispheres and processing in the brain is done on the opposite side of the body; this is referred to as contralateral processing. Through research on subjects that had split-brains, subjects who did not have an intact corpus callosum that connects the two hemispheres, researchers discovered that the hemispheres specialize in different information. The left side of our brains processes language and is more analytical whereas the right side processes information through art and music. If they are not connected, the brain hemispheres cannot work together but split-brain patients tend to live life normally because the visual field is the same for both sides. By designing tests that split the vision field, researchers were able to discover the lateralization because participants of the study could only read on one side and draw on the other.
When I was younger, a close family friend had a daughter who suffered from frequent and intense seizures. After her child went through several treatments, her doctors decided to remove one of her brain hemispheres. It was very scary news and I did not understand how anyone could live with only half their brain. Our close family friend taught us how her daughter will struggle with the side of her body that is opposite of the side of the brain that was removed, but the doctors were hopeful that she would still be able to walk and talk because the remaining hemisphere makes up for the missing hemisphere as much as it can. It has been years since the procedure and Ava can walk and talk. She does struggle with one side of her body but she has adapted to this setback. She no longer has seizures and is a beacon of strength in our family. She has really taught all of us how fascinating the brain is.
While learning about contralateral processing, a lot of things that I was told when I was younger with Ava began to really make sense. I am happy that I had the opportunity to educate myself and begin to understand her more.
3 thoughts on “The Brain’s Contralateral Processing”
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Thank you so much for sharing this story; I can’t imagine how anxious and shocked I would be as a child if I heard that a family friend I knew would undergo this procedure. This procedure seems much more intensive than cutting the corpus callosum in split-brain patients. In addition to providing an example for contralateral processing, with Ava struggling on the side of her body opposite to the removed side of her brain, I think this also connects to the concept of neuroplasticity mentioned in class. Even though she had half of her brain removed, she still adapted to this drastic change over time. The ability for her neurons to re-wire and change following the removal in order to compensate demonstrates how amazing the brain is in its ability to change. It is possible that neuroplasticity contributed to her adapting to the setback of struggling with half of her body, especially with her maintaining the ability to walk even though the side of the brain controlling one of her legs had been removed. I also think the fact that she was fairly young helped, as the brain has a higher capacity for neuroplastic change at younger ages. This is not to say that Ava’s brain did all the work – she has been so strong and inspiring in learning how to adapt after half of her brain was removed.
Wow that was a fascinating story. I have never heard of or met anyone who had parts of their brain removed. It’s nice that Ava was able to adapt to her new way of living. The fact that the remainder of her brain made up for the rest of it missing. She was able to function and push through the struggle of having some setbacks in the beginning makes her a very strong young lady. You sharing this experience helped me zoom in more on how the brain works exactly, it helped me realize that one side can be affected but the remainder can fill in for the body to function. I liked how you incorporated the definitions and transitioned into your personal experience with a situation regarding brain functioning. The anecdote completely related to the topic of the brain which was good. Ana is a strong girl and I hope she continues to have a successful life!
That is an amazing and inspiring story! I have never heard about someone having half of their brain removed. This story is so mind blowing I want to do more research on the topic and see how common it is. A boy I babysit suffers from seizures, but to treat them, he takes many different medications and has a very strict diet he has to follow. It was interesting to read this story to hear about another real life example of how to treat seizures. This story really helped me to understand that the brain is really good at adapting for missing pieces, as you stated that the remaining half of her brain was able to do things the removed half did. This shows how plastic the brain is when it is still developing. Ana is a strong and amazing girl and I hope that she continues to be successful and live a happy life.