Split Brain Syndrome Defined

Split Brain Syndrome Defined

This syndrome is rare and not completely understood, though the causes are simple. The syndrome is caused either by an underdevelopment or a growth in the corpus collosum. The brain is actually divided into two separate halves with the corpus collosum connecting the two halves together. If there is damage to this tissue then the result is that the brain is not able to completely function as a whole. The other possibility is that the corpus collosum was severed in a surgery performed to alleviate some of the symptoms of epilepsy.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of split brain syndrome are not altogether easy to explain. To understand them, a person must first understand a bit about how the brain works. There is some debate about the theory that each side of the brain performs a specific function. However, there is no doubt at all that each side of the brain tends to be more dominant in certain functions than the other is. For instance, a person who is right handed tends to be dominated mostly by the left hemisphere of the brain. This is because the left hemisphere of the brain controls the right side of the body and the right hemisphere of the brain controls the left side of the body.

However, certain functions do appear to be more dominant for certain hemispheres of the brain. Whether this varies from person to person has yet to be established in any solid manner. Whatever the case may be, if there is limited damage to the brain, parts of the brain will sometimes assume the function of the damaged parts in order to keep the body going. In the case of split brain syndrome, this is a limited possibility as either side of the brain is prevented from communicating with the other with the exception of the most rudimentary level of communication found in the spinal column.

To explain how this may have an impact on someone with split brain syndrome, consider the following scenario.

A woman holds a deck of cards in her left hand. A doctor asks her to name the object in her hand. She finds herself unable to speak to say the word “cards”. Place the cards in her right hand and she is readily able to tell you what they are. The theory is that the left side of the brain controls the language function. When the cards are in the right hand the left hemisphere recognizes and can vocalize the word “cards”. The right side cannot speak the word because speech is not its function.

Split Brain Syndrome also has an impact on the personality. Since the brain is now split, it does at times develop two separate personalities. Therefore in a discussion with a person who has this syndrome, it would not be unheard of for the left hemisphere to be able to hold a rational conversation with you when angry, while the speechless right hemisphere causes the left hand to punch you in anger.

References: Nobelorize.org