Brain and Language Lateralization PDF

Support for Lateralization (left hemisphere control of language) • Dichotic Listening • Wada Test • Split-brain patients 13 Support for Lateralization: Dichotic Listening Tests • Different linguistic sounds are played in both ears • Participant reports hearing only one • Sound from right ear is al...

Support for Lateralization (left hemisphere control of language) • Dichotic Listening • Wada Test • Split-brain patients 13 Support for Lateralization: Dichotic Listening Tests • Different linguistic sounds are played in both ears • Participant reports hearing only one • Sound from right ear is almost always reported 14 Support for Lateralization: Dichotic Listening Tests • Conclusion: at least auditory processing of language seems to be on the left side (for most people) 15 Support for Lateralization: Wada Test • Named after Juhn Wada, who developed it. • The test is usually performed prior to surgery for epilepsy. • Its goal is to assess which side of the brain is dominant for language. • One hemisphere of a patient’s brain is temporarily put to sleep (anesthetized). From: http://epilepsy.yale.edu/care/surgical/phaseII.aspx 16 Support for Lateralization: Wada Test • The patient is asked to count numbers, identify objects, and respond to questions. – What happens if the left brain is put to sleep? – Does she still have control of her right hand? – Can she produce language? • http://youtu.be/sBbilBZ46Eg?t=15s 17