1. Phineas Gage and the Language Center of the Brain
Emilie and Lindsey

2. Background
Born in 1823
Foreman of a railroad construction company near Cavendish Vermont
Most capable, efficient, well-balanced mind, shrewd, smart businessman
Known for survival of serious brain damage

3. The Accident September 13, 1848
Accidental explosion of a charge he had set
Blew tamping iron through his head
-Under left cheek bone and out through
top of head
-Landed yards behind him
-Spoke within minutes
-Walked with little assistance

4. Recuperation Long and difficult
Pressure on brain left him semi-comatose
Seldom spoke (only mono syllables)
Died 12 years after accident (May 23, 1860) after suffering from epileptic seizures

5. Brain Damage Left frontal lobe completely destroyed
Personality changes: impatient, obstinate, profane, unable to settle on plans devised for future, fitful

6. Functions of Frontal Lobe
Contains most of the dopamine sensitive neurons in the cerebral cortex
Associated with reward, attention, long term memory, planning, drive, impulse control, social behavior
Ability to recognize future consequences resulting from current actions; choice between good and bad
Involved with higher mental functions

7. Language Center of Brain
Broca’s Area and Wernicke’s Area
Linked to speech production and language comprehension
Spoken words sent to Wernicke Area where structure of signal is compared with memory of the word to understand meaning

8. Language as a Way of Knowing
Whole section of the brain devoted to language and the brain is where we understand knowledge
Similar to Saussure Views:
Signifier doesn’t mean anything by itself so the brain automatically associates it with its meaning
Saussare “All signs arbitrary, and all signs have only arbitrarily ascribed or assigned meanings. Each society, through its language, gives meaning to its signs through combining sound-images (signifiers) with concepts (what is signified).”

9. Bibliography http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontal_lobe