How do the hemispheres of the brain communicate? The left and right hemispheres of the brain are connected by a band of neural fibers called the corpus callosum. Latin for "tough body", the corpus callosum is composed of a wide, flat bundle of axons and is located directly below the cerebral cortex. There are specific functions of each of the two brain hemispheres that the opposite hemisphere cannot carry out. For example, the left hemisphere of the brain controls speech and language output, while the right hemisphere contains the areas of the brain that controls spatial perception.
The video below describes a man who has undergone a split brain procedure called corpus callosotomy. Due to a medical condition, surgeons severed the corpus callosum so that the left and right hemispheres operate independently. Watch this video and learn one of the most fascinating things about the human brain:
Split brain behavioral experiments
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Alcohol And The Brain
As most people may know, alcohol can turn a regular night into a completely unforgettable adventure that can be easily forgotten the morning after. While it is used lightly on occasion for some, heavy drinking throughout the lifespan can cause serious damages to the brain. Alcohol consumption affects the brain regions specifically starting at the top, the cerebral cortex, moving down to the limbic system, then to the cerebellum and brainstem.
When alcohol enters the brain, it starts by distorting the senses and perception, which are controlled mainly by the lobes in cerebral cortex. As it moves down to the limbic system, it causes memory loss and plays with our emotions--causing sadness, aggressiveness, etc. When alcohol reaches the cerebellum, balance and coordination is thrown off. This is why heavily drunken people find it hard to perform simple movements such as walking straight or touching the tip of the nose with a finger. Read about what the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says about the effects of alcohol on the brain.
When alcohol enters the brain, it starts by distorting the senses and perception, which are controlled mainly by the lobes in cerebral cortex. As it moves down to the limbic system, it causes memory loss and plays with our emotions--causing sadness, aggressiveness, etc. When alcohol reaches the cerebellum, balance and coordination is thrown off. This is why heavily drunken people find it hard to perform simple movements such as walking straight or touching the tip of the nose with a finger. Read about what the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says about the effects of alcohol on the brain.
Brain Base: The Brainstem
The cerebral cortex processes and outputs mostly all of the information brought in to the brain. Knowing the functions of the cerebral cortex, how does the information enter and leave the brain? The oldest part of the brain--the brainstem--acts as a gateway for information to be transported from the sensory organs to the brain, and from the brain to the central nervous system. There are several structures on the brainstem that contribute to the main functions of your body. Starting at the spinal cord and moving up to the previously discussed cerebral cortex, the following image shows the layout of the brainstem:
The midbrain - fully developed at birth, regulates attention, sleeping, waking, and other automatic functions
The Pons - also helps regulate automatic functions such as arousal, sleep, and relaying information from the cerebellum to other parts of the brain
The Cerebellum - the latin term for "little brain", laying at the rear of the brain, it is largely involved in motor control such as movement, balance, precision, and coordination
The Medulla - along with the midbrain, it is fully developed at birth, and regulates vital functions of living such as heartbeat and respiration
The midbrain - fully developed at birth, regulates attention, sleeping, waking, and other automatic functionsThe Pons - also helps regulate automatic functions such as arousal, sleep, and relaying information from the cerebellum to other parts of the brain
The Cerebellum - the latin term for "little brain", laying at the rear of the brain, it is largely involved in motor control such as movement, balance, precision, and coordination
The Medulla - along with the midbrain, it is fully developed at birth, and regulates vital functions of living such as heartbeat and respiration
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Map Of The Brain
The brain has many different areas which all function to control different parts and aspects of your body. Right now, we will focus on the main layout of the brain as we see it with the naked eye. The cerebral cortex, or the outermost layer of the brain, appears very wrinkled and bunched up, but if stretched out it will cover the surface area of 2.5 square feet. Let's keep in mind that there are two hemispheres of the brain, each with four lobes--the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal--that make up the cerebral cortex:
Each lobe is involved in different areas of mind, body, or sensory function:
The frontal lobes - helps moderate speech and influences planning, judgment and reasoning
The parietal lobes - helps manage the perception of the sense of touch and feel of your body's position and movement
The occipital lobes - an interesting part of the brain, manages your vision while receiving sensory input from the opposite eye, rather than the eye on the respective side
The temporal lobes - associated with memory and, similar to the occipital lobes, manages hearing and auditory info, also receiving input from the opposite ear
Each lobe is involved in different areas of mind, body, or sensory function:
The frontal lobes - helps moderate speech and influences planning, judgment and reasoning
The parietal lobes - helps manage the perception of the sense of touch and feel of your body's position and movement
The occipital lobes - an interesting part of the brain, manages your vision while receiving sensory input from the opposite eye, rather than the eye on the respective side
The temporal lobes - associated with memory and, similar to the occipital lobes, manages hearing and auditory info, also receiving input from the opposite ear
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