THE HUMAN BRAIN--Functions and Effects

When thinking in terms of the human brain, it is important to consider that the brain does not work as a sole entity, but is rather connected by a myriad of parts that help regulate and execute every part of who you are: your emotions, bodily movements, heart rate, and the like.

It was particularly confusing for me to understand the ramifications of my brain injury, due to its complexity and the parts of my brain which were affected. But when broken down, it is easy to see that the brain is much more than a muscle that designates intelligence; it’s a composite tool that indicates how you behave and react to every component of your life.

If you viewed a sketch of the human brain from the side, you would see the frontal lobe, which is closest to the forehead inside the skull. The human brain has two frontal lobes: the right and the left. Memory, motor functioning, speech and language, “judgment,” initiative, sexual behavior, and impulsiveness are controlled by this area of the brain. That is why most injuries that occur in the frontal lobes typically cause hemiplegia, the paralysis of one side of the body. Frontal lobe damage can also be attributed to a lack of facial expression of emotion. Personality is often affected as well.

Parietal lobes

The parietal lobes, which are found directly behind the frontal lobes, also serve a number of functions. These areas play a key role in perception, sensation, and the assimilation of visual information. Gerstmann’s Syndrome, a disorder which results from left parietal lobe damage causes one to confuse right and left. This also causes one to have difficulty with writing, also known as agraphia and “mathematics,” known as acalculia. It is also known to cause aphasia, a speech impairnent. This section of the brain is particularly active in the execution of daily tasks, such as bathing and dressing.

Temporal lobes

According to Neuroskills.com, the temporal lobe, which can be found just below the frontal lobe, can produce a number of impairments. A change in “auditory” awareness is a common result of parietal lobe damage. Language can also be affected if an injury occurs in the temporal lobe. Temporal lobe seizures can dramatically change one’s personality. Damage to this area can also cause repetition of speech, rage, and distrust.

Occipital lobes

“The occipital lobes are the center of our visual perception system,” said Neuroskills.com. And because they are in the back of the brain, they are not as susceptible to “injury.” But if one has sustained an injury that extends to this area, they could experience a number of effects. For instance, scotomas and visual field cuts sometimes occur. Visual field cuts are the presence of a pie-shaped blind spot on the left or right side of both eyes. These are most often present in those who have suffered brain injuries which are similar to a stroke. This is often referred to as homonomous vision loss. Damage to the occipital lobes is also known to cause “visual hallucinations.” These hallucinations are sometimes the result of temporal lobe seizures or occipital lobe damage. Objects seen during these hallucinations may appear as larger or smaller than they really are. The occipital lobes can be found directly behind the temporal lobes.

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