course material

1. Discussion 1: Conjoined Twins and Split Brain Patients
Discussion 1: Conjoined Twins and Split Brain PatientsDiscussion 1: Conjoined Twins and
Split Brain PatientsAs often is the case in science, the study of unique phenomenon can
provide a wealth of knowledge and information about normal occurrences. This is true with
regard to case studies of both split brain patients and conjoined twins. The unique
experiences of these patients have contributed a great deal to our understanding of how the
brain functions in a range of both normal and extraordinary circumstances.Split brain
patients are people who have had surgery to cut the corpus callosum, which you may recall,
is the main pathway connecting the two halves of the cortex. Often this procedure was done
to alleviate symptoms of epilepsy. These patients acted normal enough so that for the first
few years after such surgeries were performed, physicians reported that there were no
consequences of the procedure. Over the years, however, careful behavioral studies
revealed that these patients appeared to have two minds at work in one body. One mind,
mediated by the left hemisphere, could talk and respond to questions, while the other mind,
in the right hemisphere, could only communicate by gestures and action. Remarkably, the
left brain seemed to be unaware that another mind controlled half of the body.In the case of
dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins, (twins who share a body but have separate brains) it
is clear that there are two minds because there are two separate brains and each of them
can communicate. In craniopagus conjoined twins, there are two separate bodies but a
shared brain or portions of brain.The range of behavior, from relatively normal to unique, of
split brain patients and conjoined twins raises questions about what it means to be a
“person.” For this week’s Discussion, you compare and contrast split brain patients and
conjoined twins, and explore what “personhood” means in light of what these patients can
teach us about the brain and its functions.With these thoughts in mind:Post an explanation
of how split-brain patients demonstrate the organization of the brain. Then, describe two
similarities and two differences between split brain patients and conjoined twins. Finally,
define “personhood” in your own words as it relates to split brain patients or conjoined
twins and use the current literature to your definition. your postings and responses with
specific references to the literature and Learning Resources.Breedlove, S. M., & Watson, N. V.
(2018). Behavioral neuroscience (8th ed.) New York, NY: Oxford University Press.Chapter
19, “Language and Laterization”Hickok, G. (2009). The functional neuroanatomy of
language. Physics of Life Reviews, 6(3), 121–143. Retrieved
from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20161054MacQueen, K. (2011). Tatiana and
Krista go to school. Maclean’s, 124(39), 26–27.Retrieved from the Walden Library

2. databases.Norton, A., Zipse, L., Marchina, S. & Schlaug, G. (2009). Melodic intonation
therapy: shared insights on how it is done and why it might help. Annals of the New York
Academy of Sciences, 1169, 431–436.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.Sudha,
L., Dev, B., Kamble, R., & Joseph, S. (2009). Role of biplane digital subtraction angiography,
and 3D rotational angiography in craniopagus twins: A case report, detailed pictorial
evaluation, and review of literature. Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences, 4(2), 113–
116.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.Uddin, L. Q. (2011). Brain connectivity
and the self: The case of cerebral disconnection. Consciousness and Cognition, 20(1), 94–
98.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.Weathers, H. (2007, January 1). A truly
extraordinary bond. Daily Mail.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.MEDIASinauer
Associates, Inc. (Producer). (2010). The Wernicke-Geschwind connectionist model of
aphasia. Available from https://www.bn8e.com/TED Conferences, LLC. (n.d.). Jill Bolte
Taylor’s stroke of insight. Retrieved
from http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight?language=e
nOptional ResourcesDominus, S. (2011, May). Could conjoined twins share a mind? The
New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/magazine/could-
conjoined-twins-share-a-mind.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=conjoined%20twins&st=cse