Neuropsychological Studies on Individuals with Brain Lesions - Essay Example

Neuropsychological Studies on Individuals with Brain Lesions Neuropsychological Studies on Individuals with Brain Lesions Research in neuropsychology has significantly involved individuals with lesions in the brain in experimental processes. Through various methodological approaches and designs, neuropsychologists engage in research with a goal of contributing into theoretical and scientific discourse on the role of cognitive and affective brain processes in psychological conduct and behavior of individuals. Such studies have contributed significantly to education, diagnosis, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation processes within the field of neuropsychology. It is argued within this essay that neuropsychologists engage individuals with brain lesions in research in order to gain lesions on brain processes, structure, functions and their relationship with cognition, emotional and social behavior, judgment and decision making processes. Neuropsychologists engage on studies on patients with brain injury, disorders or lesions so that they can comprehend human behavior, perception and cognition. Through such studies, neuropsychologists are able to determine the interconnectedness of different areas of the brain and its role human behavior. Gillebert & Mantini (2013) conducted an experimental study on individuals with brain lesions, with a goal of determining how the lesions caused behavioral and cognitive deficits. In their study, the researchers discovered that lesions within different parts of the brain led to different deficits in cognition, perception and behavior. From this study, it is evident that through individuals with brain lesions, neuropsychologists are able to comprehend abnormal behavior and cognition. Through this comprehension, the neuropsychologists are able to design effective treatment approaches for people with abnormal behavior, perception or cognition. Improved strategies in the rehabilitation processes are made possible through findings of studies of individuals with brain lesions. The specific areas of the brain which cause abnormal behavior are determined though brain lesion studies by neuropsychologists. The findings of these studies allow them to suggest and design individualized approaches to rehabilitation. In this sense, they are able to meet the unique needs of patients during the rehabilitative processes. The recovery protocols of the rehabilitation program are also improved through the application of data from brain lesion studies. Gillebert & Mantini (2013)’s experimental study allowed them to relate specific lesions to parts of the brain and the resultant behavior. Through their findings, the researchers recommended the most effective strategies through which the rehabilitation of people with abnormal behavior, cognitive and perceptional characteristics can be treated. Clinical neuropsychologists study individuals with lesions in the brain to determine the localization of brain functions within the cortex, a concept that is used to understand relationships in brain behavior (Jiang, Yao, Yao, Zhang, Ge & Qiu, 2013). This information is used in clinical treatment of individuals who exhibit specific behavior that is known to emanate from abnormality within a specific cortical region of the brain. Furthermore neuropsychologists engage in studies of brain lesions so that they can find out how patterns in cognitive deficits are associated with the distribution of brain lesions (Spitz, Maller, Ng, OSullivan, Ferris & Ponsford, 2013). Example, a neuropsychological assessment of individuals with multiple sclerosis revealed that the topography of brain lesions were congruent with the study subjects’ deficits in cognitive functions (Tiemann, Penner, Haupts, Schlegel & Calabrese, 2009). These researchers employed magnetic resonance imaging to identify brain atrophy and lesion burden within the study subjects. On the basis of this study, the researchers were able to determine how lesion parameters were related with cognitive and behavioral patterns, such as mental speed and alertness. Studies on brain lesions by neuropsychologists are used to learn the causes of the problems which individuals experience in daily life and therefore device the most practical and appropriate solutions. Problems in memory and multitasking are common among patients with psychological disorders. Through an experimental paradigm on patients who had lesions within the rostral prefrontal cortex, researchers assessed time and event based ability of patients to remember things (Volle, Gonen-Yaacovi, de Lacy Costello, Gilbert & Burgess, 2011). The research was aimed at determining the specific region of the brain which was associated with the memory performance of patients. The researchers revealed that memory problems, such as poor estimation of time, were associated with lesions within the right rostral prefrontal cortex. Through these studies, neuropsychologists are able to determine the specific areas of the brain that are associated with everyday problems of patients and therefore indicate clinical procedures for treatment. From this study, it is evident that individuals with lesions in the brain have played a significant role in understanding brain activities which cause difficulties among patients. This understanding has in return promoted treatment processes within clinical paradigms. Neuropsychologists use studies on brain lesions to build models and support theories on psychological and cognitive functions among human beings (Jiang, Yao, Yao, Zhang, Ge & Qiu, 2013). Such studies are used to relate normal psychology and abnormal psychology and therefore designing models that can be used to treat problems associate with psychological processes. Clinical neuropsychologists employ such studies to prove hypotheses and pre-existing theoretical frameworks. Additionally, individuals with brain lesions have been used to expand models of psychological management and theoretical views on cognitive processes (Friston & Price, 2011). For instance, researchers have engaged individuals with lesions in the brain to understand and expand the theory around psychological processes, such as neglect and agnosia (Spitz, Maller, Ng, OSullivan, Ferris & Ponsford, 2013). From individuals with lesions in the brain, neuropsychologists have learned and demonstrated that the human mind is made of cognitive systems and distinct modules of psychological processes (Wilson, 2013). In a deficit-lesion mapping experiments, Friston & Price (2011) engaged individuals with lesions in the brain to demonstrate how the brain was organized and cognitive functions were segregated. The researchers used functional neuroimaging techniques to study brain structure and function mapping among patients with lesions. Through their study, the researchers revealed that the segregation of brain functions was related to the modularity of brain processes (Friston & Price, 2011). More notably, neuropsychologists use studies on brain lesions to characterize the distribution of brain responses among people with cognitive and psychological challenges. These studies have developed theoretical and practical understanding of brain systems, cognitive and functional relationships among neuropsychologists. The logic behind brain activities and impairment of cognitive and psychological functions has been learned through studies among patients with lesions of the brain. Through such studies, neuropsychologists are able to relate functional impairment to specific regions of human brain. For example, experimental studies on patients with lesions in the hippocampus have allowed neuropsychologists to demonstrate a logical relationship between brain areas and functional responses among patients (Jiang, Yao, Yao, Zhang, Ge & Qiu, 2013). Such studies have allowed neuropsychologists to make inferences that are used as models of psychological evaluations and treatment (Hargrave, Nupp & Erickson, 2012). The tools used in psychological evaluation and treatment, such as double dissociations, have also been enabled through studies among individuals with lesions in various parts of the brain. Lessons from studies among patients with lesions in the brain have been used by neuropsychologists to design holistic and comprehensive procedures, which are used in the rehabilitation of patients with dementia (Spitz, Maller, Ng, OSullivan, Ferris & Ponsford, 2013). Through such experiments, recognition and emotional problems among patients with dementia have been determined. In return, new procedures of assessment and strategies of treatment have been developed (Jiang, Yao, Yao, Zhang, Ge & Qiu, 2013). It is therefore evident that lessons from individuals with brain injury have promoted the assessment criteria and rehabilitation strategies for patients who have dementia. Wilson (2013) a descriptive research to reveal that significant changes have been experienced within the field of neuropsychological rehabilitation of patients with dementia. The researcher attributed these changes to the findings and inferences of studies on individuals with lesions of the brain. For example, the researcher demonstrates that the efficacy of rehabilitation for patients with dementia has been improved significantly on the basis of neuropsychological studies, which involve individuals with lesions in the brain (Wilson, 2013). The classification of psychological disorders is based on studies conducted on individuals with lesions in the brain. For example, psychological and cognitive disorders are grouped in accordance to the areas of the brain which is associated with deficits in behavior and cognition (Jiang, Yao, Yao, Zhang, Ge & Qiu, 2013). This demonstrates that individuals with lesions of the brain have been used to learn lessons, which have enhanced knowledge and education in affective and cognitive neuroscience. These studies have also facilitated the diagnostic processes in psychology. This is due to the fact that psychologists are now able to relate deficit behavior to structural and functional elements of the brain (Hargrave, Nupp & Erickson, 2012). Therefore, it is argued that lessons from individuals with brain lessons have generally facilitated developments in the fields of cognitive and affective neuroscience. Since it is not practical or ethical to induce brain lesions, true experiments involving individuals with lesions in the brain are used by neuropsychologists to comprehend deficits in cognitive and affective processes (Spitz, Maller, Ng, OSullivan, Ferris & Ponsford, 2013). For example, researchers employed a rational-empirical approach to study personal disturbance among individuals with lesions in the brain (Barrash, Asp, Markon, Manzel, Anderson & Tranel, 2011). The researchers employed Iowa Scales of Personality Change (ISPC) with a goal of identifying covariance patterns within 30 characteristics of personality. On the basis of this study, the researchers indentified five dimensions of deficit behavior. These are Disturbed Social Behavior, Diminished Motivation/Hypo-Emotionality, Distress, Irascibility and Executive/Decision-Making Deficits (Barrash, Asp, Markon, Manzel, Anderson & Tranel, 2011). It is evident that these findings were achievable through the practicality of true experiments among individuals with brain damage. Lessons on individual disparities in brain functions and organizations have been achieved through studies on people with brain damage (Friston & Price, 2011). Through these studies, neuropsychologists have been able to associate individual differences in brain activities, organization and structure to genetic factors, developmental processes and life experiences (Hargrave, Nupp & Erickson, 2012). In this sense, the evaluation of patients with deficits in psychological, affective and cognitive processes is based on the genetically or developmentally motivated causes. For instance, a study on people with brain defects was used to determine differences in cognitive profile among individuals (Tedesco, Chiricozzi, Clausi, Lupo, Molinari & Leggio, 2011). These researchers revealed that Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Syndrome was associated with genetically motivated differences in cerebellar functions. Social and moral aspects which affect cognitive and psychological behavior of individuals are best studied through the involvement of individuals with lesions of the brain. Njomboro, Humphreys & Deb (2014) conducted comparative experimental studies with a goal of comparing cognitive recognition among individuals with brain lesions and normal people. The behavioral aspects that were studied in this investigation include low social engagement, attenuated emotional behavior and social withdrawal (Njomboro, Humphreys & Deb 2014). The researchers found out that individuals who had both brain damage and apathy symptoms demonstrated distinctive impairment in moral reasoning, judgment and making decisions. The researchers were able to draw differences in the moral reasoning among normal people and individuals with brain damage on what is perceived to be socially appropriate behavior. On the basis of such studies, neuropsychologists have contributed to the determination of social and moral behavior within clinical processes. Lessons from studies on individuals with lesions in the brain have allowed neuropsychologists to join the discourse of theologians and philosophers on the moral nature and aspects of humanity (Spitz, Maller, Ng, OSullivan, Ferris & Ponsford, 2013). Through the use of newer and technologically improved techniques, neuropsychologists have published a wide range of findings, which demonstrate the role of the brain and cognitive processes in the morality of human beings. Shoemaker (2012) carried out experiments which demonstrate that there are specific brain structures, which are associated with moral behavior of people, acts that are deemed evil and violation of tenets of proper moral behavior or conduct. The researcher demonstrated that psychopathic behavior of individuals is related to lesions within the temporal lobe’s fusiform face area. The theological and philosophical prohibition of cheating, lying, murder and stealing have therefore been perceived from the scientific point of view, which emanate from the publications of neuropsychologists on findings of studies among people with brain lesions. The processes of moral judgment and decision making have been comprehended more through studies on people with lesions of the brain. In a game based experimental research, investigators presented participants with instrumental dilemmas related to letting people die and incidental dilemmas of killing one individual to save many others. On the basis of the study findings, the researchers determined brain processes which influenced participants to make unpleasant choices. The researchers found out that individuals with lesions in the brain made more unpleasant decisions in both instrumental and incidental dilemmas, as compared to normal individuals (Sarlo, Lotto, Manfrinati, Rumiati, Gallicchio & Palomba, 2012). From this study, it is evident that the decision making processes and judgment are influenced by specific areas of the brain. It is however important to note that there are specific cognitive and affective issues, which neuropsychologists may not be able to resolve out of studies that involve individuals with brain lesions. For example, artificial experimental settings may cause individuals with brain lesions for fail tests, even though they may not have problems in cognitive and affective recognition of objects and events in their daily lives. Additionally, emotional and cognitive recognition of events and objects are mainly ventral functions. This means that neuropsychologists may not be able to resolve some research issues, when patients with parietal lesions are used in experimental processes or studies. References Barrash, J., Asp, E., Markon, K., Manzel, K., Anderson, S. W., & Tranel, D. (2011). Dimensions of Personality Disturbance after Focal Brain Damage: Investigation with the Iowa Scales of Personality Change. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology, 33(8), 833-852 Friston, K. J., & Price, C. J. (2011). Modules and Brain Mapping. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 28(3/4), 241-250 Friston, K. J., & Price, C. J. (2011). Modules and Brain Mapping. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 28(3/4), 241-250 Gillebert, C. R., & Mantini, D. (2013). Functional Connectivity in the Normal and Injured Brain. Neuroscientist, 19(5), 509-522 Hargrave, D. D., Nupp, J. M., & Erickson, R. J. (2012). 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