137k views
4 votes
Cutting out a cerebral hemisphere to treat intractable epilepsy is a?

1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

Cutting out a cerebral hemisphere is a rare and several measure to treat severe epilepsy, usually considered after other options have failed. The condition shows significant insights about brain lateralization and the distinct functions of the two hemispheres.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cutting out a cerebral hemisphere to treat intractable epilepsy is a drastic and rare surgical procedure performed as a last resort when other treatments have failed. When the more common surgery involves sectioning the corpus callosum, it can lead to a condition known as split-brain. This outcome provides valuable insights into the lateralized functions of the brain. For example, when visual information is processed in the right hemisphere, the patient might have difficulty verbally identifying the object since the speech center is typically located in the left hemisphere. Interestingly, such patients can still physically select the correct object with their left hand, even though they cannot verbally identify it.

User Dege
by
7.7k points