6.6.2 Split-Brain Studies

• Split-brain studies investigate the independent functions of the left and right hemispheres
• Split-brain studies typically involve patients who have undergone commissurotomy for severe epilepsy.
• What happens when an image is presented to the right visual field in a split-brain patient?

  They can name it
• When an object is placed in the left hand of a split-brain patient, they can use it but cannot name
• Match the structure of the corpus callosum with the brain regions it connects:

  Rostrum ↔️ Anterior frontal lobes

  Genu ↔️ Prefrontal cortex

  Body ↔️ Parietal and temporal lobes

  Splenium ↔️ Occipital lobes
• Severing the corpus callosum leads to compensatory activity between hemispheres.

  False
• What mathematical relationship describes the communication speed between hemispheres and the number of nerve fibers in the corpus callosum?

  V \propto N</latex>
• Steps in the experimental design of split-brain studies:

  1️⃣ Participant selection (commissurotomy patients)

  2️⃣ Visual field presentation

  3️⃣ Task types (naming, pointing, drawing)

  4️⃣ Control conditions
• In split-brain studies, stimuli are presented to one visual field at a time to ensure only one hemisphere
• What is the expected outcome when a split-brain patient is shown an image of a face in the left visual field?

  Match emotions but cannot verbally describe
• Split-brain studies investigate the independent functions of the brain's hemispheres when the corpus callosum is severed
• What do split-brain studies investigate?

  Independent functions of hemispheres
• Split-brain studies use patients who have undergone commissurotomy
• If an object is presented to the left visual field, a split-brain patient can verbally identify it.

  False
• What happens to the corpus callosum in split-brain studies?

  It is severed
• When an object is presented to the right visual field, it is processed by the left hemisphere.
• Match the visual field with the outcome in split-brain studies:

  Right visual field ↔️ Can name object

  Left visual field ↔️ Cannot name but can point
• Which hemisphere is typically responsible for language processing?

  Left hemisphere
• Split-brain studies demonstrate the impact of hemispheric lateralisation on cognitive functions.
• The right hemisphere typically handles spatial processing in split-brain studies.
• What is the primary function of the corpus callosum?

  Communication between hemispheres
• The rostrum of the corpus callosum connects the anterior frontal lobes.
• Match the corpus callosum component with its connected brain region:

  Genu ↔️ Prefrontal cortex

  Splenium ↔️ Occipital lobes
• What is the mathematical relationship between communication speed and the number of nerve fibers in the corpus callosum?

  $V \propto N$
• Severing the corpus callosum enhances communication speed between hemispheres.

  False
• The rostrum of the corpus callosum connects the anterior frontal lobes
• Which part of the corpus callosum connects the parietal and temporal lobes?

  Body
• The corpus callosum facilitates hemispheric integration for coordinated cognitive processes.
• What is the mathematical relationship between communication speed and the number of nerve fibers in the corpus callosum?

  $V \propto N$
• Severing the corpus callosum, as in split-brain patients, leads to independent operation of the brain's hemispheres
• Steps in the experimental design of split-brain studies

  1️⃣ Participant selection with commissurotomy

  2️⃣ Visual field presentation for unilateral processing

  3️⃣ Use of tasks like naming or drawing

  4️⃣ Comparison with healthy controls
• What type of stimulus presentation is used in split-brain studies to ensure unilateral processing?

  Visual field presentation
• Match the visual field and task with the expected outcome in split-brain studies:

  Right visual field ↔️ Can easily name the person

  Left visual field ↔️ Can match emotion but struggles verbally
• Split-brain studies reveal that the left and right hemispheres operate independently when the corpus callosum is severed
• The left hemisphere in split-brain patients is primarily responsible for language processing.
• What is the primary function of the right hemisphere in split-brain patients?

  Spatial awareness
• The equation $f(x) =$$a \cdot x$ represents a linear relationship between perception and response
• Which visual field, when presented with an image, allows a split-brain patient to name it verbally?

  Right
• If a split-brain patient sees an image of a cat in their left visual field, they can draw it but not name it.
• Match the hemisphere with its primary visual perception function in split-brain studies:

  Left ↔️ Naming and verbal description

  Right ↔️ Spatial processing and visual recognition