Final answer:
Studying brain lesions to understand brain functions presents challenges, one of which is that lesions may not be precise and could damage surrounding areas, complicating the analysis of cognitive deficits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difficulties with Studying Brain Lesions
When cognitive neuroscientists study brain lesions to learn more about brain functions, they face certain difficulties. One major challenge with this technique is that brain lesions are often not precise and may damage surrounding areas. This lack of precision can make it difficult to link specific cognitive deficits to damage in a particular brain area. For example, if a stroke occurs in the temporal lobe, the resulting brain function loss could include memory functions attributed to structures like the hippocampus and amygdala. However, due to the potential for surrounding areas to be affected, the interpretation of such findings can be complicated.
Before modern brain imaging techniques, scientists relied on observing changes in behavior following a brain injury to deduce the function of the affected areas. While this method has yielded valuable information, it presents limitations such as the potential for reversible and temporary damage, which may not provide a full picture of the brain's functions. Additionally, the ethical concerns surrounding the inducement of brain lesions in humans further complicate this approach.