Chapter 5: The lesioned Brain

• What are group studies?


  In neuropsychology, the performance of different patients is combined to yield a group average
• What are single case studies?

  In cognitive neuropsychology, the data from different patients are not combined
• What is Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIMBS)?


  A name for a variety of methods that stimulate the brain non-invasively (i.e. outside the skull) including by magnetic, electrical and ultrasound methods
• What is Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?


  Non-invasive stimulation of the brain caused by magnetic induction from a rapidly changing electrical current in a coil held over the scalp
• What is Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES)? 


  Non-invasive stimulation of the brain caused by passing a weak electrical current through it, either direct currents (tDCS) or alternating currents (tACS)
• What is the split brain surgery (corpus callosotomy)?


  A surgical procedure in which fibers of the corpus callosum are severed
• What are strokes?


  Disruptions to the blood supply of the brain (called strokes or cerebro-

  vascular accidents, CVA) can result in global or local death of neurons.
• What are the six ways of acquiring brain damage?

  Neurosurgery, strokes, traumatic head injuries, tumors, viral infections, and neurodegenerative disorders
• What is the purpose of neurosurgery in relation to brain damage?

  To surgically remove the focus of epileptic seizures in severe cases
• What is an example of a patient who underwent split-brain surgery?

  HM
• How do strokes or CVA lead to brain damage?

  They disrupt the blood supply to the brain, causing neuron death
• What is the most common form of brain damage in people under 40?

  Traumatic head injuries
• In which demographic are traumatic head injuries especially common?

  In young men involved in road traffic accidents (RTAs)
• What causes tumors in the brain?

  New cells produced in a poorly regulated manner
• What is the second most common site for tumors?

  The brain
• Which viruses are known to target specific cells in the brain?

  Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), HIV, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
• What is the impact of increased life expectancy on brain health?

  It leads to an increase in neurodegenerative illnesses
• What is the most common neurodegenerative disorder?

  Dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT)
• What are the six ways of acquiring brain damage and their brief descriptions?

  • Neurosurgery: Surgical removal of seizure focus.
  • Strokes: Disruption of blood supply causing neuron death.
  • Traumatic head injuries: Common in young men from RTAs.
  • Tumors: Poorly regulated cell production in the brain.
  • Viral infections: Specific viruses targeting brain cells.
  • Neurodegenerative disorders: Increase in illnesses like Alzheimer's due to longer life expectancy.
• Advantages of TMS


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• Advantages of TMS over organic lesions


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• Advantages of organic lesions over TMS


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