Brain Hemisphere and Specialization

Brain Imaging CT or CAT (computerized tomography) scan – computer- enhanced x-ray of brain structure MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan – uses magnetic fields & radio waves to map brain structure – better resolution than CT –fMRI maps function PET (positron emission tomography) scan – examines brain function, mapping activity Image courtesy of the Yousef Mohammad, M.D., MSc; Assistant Professor of Neurology Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Ohio State University Medical Center Image courtesy of the National Institute on Drug Abuse ton.edu/chudler/imag e.html

Brain Imaging EEG (electroencephalograph) – records electrical activity of brain, especially in sleep research MEG (magnetoencephalography) – studies magnetic fields generated by neural activity; used to research activity/function

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The Split Brain What would happen if your corpus callossum was cut/severed?

Activity Draw a triangle with the right hand at the same time you draw a circle with the left – Demonstration on board. – How would split brain patient do with this task? Why? Corpus callossum is sharing information and making it difficult for you Split consciousness: can’t really devote 100% of conscious to more than one task

Which parts of the brain are active? Anne, the landscape artist, is standing at her easel, painting with her right hand as she looks out the window at her garden. She’s listening to classical music as she paints. Crazy Eddie, the professional wrestler, is in the ring wrestling. The crowd is yelling and his opponent is taunting him. Eddie yells back at his opponent. The two of them are out of breath and sweating profusely. They continue their well-orchestrated series of wrestling moves. Jill is a law student studying for the exam. She is reading about violent rape and murder cases. She is snacking on popcorn and drinking coffee.