In Lesson 2, the structure of the brain and the functions of different parts were outlined as a part of the broader topic of cognitive neuroscience. Different parts of the brain have different functions, but they all work together to create perception. The hindbrain and the midbrain are in charge of things essential to survival such as heart rate and breathing. The cerebellum is important for balance and coordination. The cerebral cortex is important for many cognitive functions and is divided into different lobes which specialize in different things. The occipital lobe is important for receiving and processing visual information, the temporal lobes are important for audition, the parietal lobe receives sensory information such as touch and temperature, and the frontal lobe plays a role in decision making and fine motor control. This is a very simplified and general summary of the functions of each part of the brain. Each section of the brain is responsible for many different functions than I have listed, but for the purpose of this post I have provided just an outline.

A couple years ago, I saw firsthand how certain parts of the brain play a major role in different aspects of cognition. I have been involved in martial arts since I was seven years old, and a part of being a martial artist is knowing how to defend yourself and how to fight. I was at a travel team practice the one Saturday, and we were working on sparring. I pushed my opponent to the edge of the ring, and since its just practice, I stepped back and started to move towards the center of the ring again to reset. I made the mistake of assuming my opponent was on the same page as me and turned my back to reset and ended up catching a heel to the back of the head. I don’t remember getting hit, but I remember the aftermath and being confused as to why everyone was so concerned about me and asking if I was okay. I ended up having a pretty bad concussion for 10 months.

I was kicked in the back of the head, which is where the occipital lobe and cerebellum are located. Most of my symptoms were problems with my eyes and my balance. My gait was messed up because I was trying to account for my issues balancing. My depth perception was messed up, and I had trouble focusing my eyes. I remember the doctor telling me to follow his finger with my eyes, and my eyes would keep moving even after his finger had stopped. I had to do vestibular therapy, which is basically physical therapy for your eyes, for months because it hurt to move my eyes in any capacity. Obviously, this was not a fun experience, but it is interesting to look back on now. The part of my brain that was most likely damaged from the kick was the part that controls balance and visual input. My concussions symptoms corresponded with the functions of the cerebellum and the occipital lobe.

Although I would have rather not spent ten months dealing with the repercussions of a concussion, I found it interesting how the functions of the different parts of the brain connected to the location of where I got hit.