splitbrainilmiöt

Split-brain refers to a condition where the corpus callosum, the bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the brain, is severed. This disconnection can be caused by surgery to treat severe epilepsy or, rarely, by trauma. The resulting split-brain phenomenon means that the two hemispheres of the brain can no longer communicate with each other effectively.

In a split-brain patient, each hemisphere operates more independently. Information processed by the left hemisphere, which typically controls the right side of the body and is dominant for language in most people, is not accessible to the right hemisphere, and vice versa. This can lead to fascinating and sometimes peculiar behaviors. For example, if an object is placed in a patient's left hand (controlled by the right hemisphere), they may not be able to verbally identify it because the language centers are in the left hemisphere. However, they might be able to pick up the object with their left hand. Conversely, if an object is seen in the right visual field (processed by the left hemisphere), the patient can easily name it.

Studies on split-brain patients have been crucial in understanding the specialized functions of each brain hemisphere. They have provided evidence for lateralization of cognitive abilities, such as language, spatial reasoning, and emotional processing. While split-brain surgery is rare and usually performed as a last resort, the insights gained from studying individuals with this condition have significantly advanced neuroscience.