What is the split-brain theory?
His split-brain theory research, for which he received the Nobel Prize in 1981, established that the two hemispheres of the brain process information differently. Individuals do not learn with only one hemisphere, but there may be a preference for one or the other processing strategies.
What did the split-brain experiment show?
He found that if hemispheres were not connected, they functioned independently of one another, which he called a split-brain. The split-brain enabled animals to memorize double the information. Later, Sperry tested the same idea in humans with their corpus callosum severed as treatment for epilepsy, a seizure disorder.
What did Gazzaniga discover?
In his studies of “split-brain” patients (initiated under the direction of Roger Sperry), whose corpus callosum has been cut to prevent epileptic fits, Gazzaniga discovered an essential asymmetry between human brain hemispheres.
What did Roger Sperry and Michael Gazzaniga do?
In the early 1960s, Sperry and colleagues, including Michael Gazzaniga, conducted extensive experiments on an epileptic patient who had had his corpus collosum, the “bridge” between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, split so that the connection was severed. Sperry received the Nobel prize in 1981.
What causes split-brain?
The primary cause of split-brain syndrome is intentional severing of the corpus callosum, partially or completely, through a surgical procedure known as corpus callosotomy.
What did Michael Gazzaniga do?
Throughout his career, Gazzaniga has always seen how new methodologies could be applied to help further understanding of the human brain. He pioneered the use of magnetic resonance imaging to understand how genes influence the size and shape of the callosum in monozygotic twins.
What part of the brain was severed in the split-brain patients?
the corpus callosum
The primary cause of split-brain syndrome is intentional severing of the corpus callosum, partially or completely, through a surgical procedure known as corpus callosotomy.
Why is the brain in two halves?
Scientists have long known that the differnt halves of human brains perform different functions. For example, the left half — or left hemisphere — is generally responsible for language and speech, whereas the right one generally handles emotions and facial recognition.
What part of the brain was severed in the split brain patients?
How was Michael Gazzaniga able to perceive changes in split brain patients that Van Wagenen did not?
How was Michael Gazzaniga able to perceive changes in split brain patients that Van Wagenen did not? With it being damaged during the split brain surgery, it was not able to do its job and allow communication between the two hemispheres of the brain.