Chapter 1. Mapping the Brain through Electrical Stimulation

Short Description

To study the brain some researchers electrically stimulate its various parts and note the effects. In this clip a young woman undergoes surgery to remove a brain tumor.

Long Description

To study the brain some researchers electrically stimulate its various parts and note the effects. In this clip a young woman undergoes surgery to remove a brain tumor. The surgery is delicate because the tumor is near a region of the brain that controls language. Damage to the region could destroy the patient's capacity to speak.

In order to identify the precise areas controlling speech the surgeon electrically stimulates various regions of the patient's brain. In some cases the patient speaks (counts) clearly and easily. In other cases the electrical stimulation interferes with speech. The surgeon explains that the patient has difficulty transforming thoughts into words when the critical language areas are stimulated.

Electrically stimulating different areas of the brain can temporarily shut down complex mental processes. In this way, researchers can establish a brain map and identify the role that different parts of the brain play in human experience and behavior.

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