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How will a brain injury affect my loved one?
Because particular regions of the brain are necessary for certain abilities—such as using the muscles in the limbs, speaking or seeing—the effects of a brain injury depend on the area injured. In general terms, an injury to the following areas result in the described symptoms. For more information, visit our interactive brain map.
The "Motor Strip" of the Frontal Lobes
Weakness on one side often means that the ‘motor strip’ of the opposite frontal lobe has been damaged. This narrow strip of ‘grey matter’ on the surface of the brain runs from near the top of the head right down to the ear. The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body, and the right, the left side.
Frontal Lobes
Weakness on one side often means that the ‘motor strip’ of the opposite frontal lobe has been damaged. This narrow strip of ‘grey matter’ on the surface of the brain runs from near the top of the head right down to the ear. The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body, and the right, the left side.
Occipital Lobes
If there are visual problems such as blindness, difficulty interpreting visual images, words look meaningless, or visual illusions, then the occipital lobes at the back of the head are damaged. Note that several parts of the brain are involved in vision and processing of visual information.
Parietal Lobes
If there are visual perception problems such as poor hand-eye co-ordination, difficulty with drawing pictures, or a lack of awareness of certain body parts in a spatial orientation, then the parietal lobe, which is near the back and top of the head, is affected. These lobes process visual and other information to make it meaningful. You will see a cat with your occipital lobe, but the parietal lobe will process the information in order for you to recognise and call it a cat, with input from your frontal and temporal lobes as well.
Broca's Area
Difficulty expressing thoughts as speech or writing often implies injury to ‘Broca’s area’ in the front part of the left hemisphere. The person understands what he wants to say, but finds it difficult to do so. Writing will also be impaired, but reading comprehension may be fair to good. Language and speech are complex functions, involving the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes.
Wernicke’s Language Area in the Left Temporal Lobe
If the person has difficulty understanding speech or reading, then Wernicke’s language area in the left temporal lobe may be affected.
Temporal Lobes
Memory is often very poor in injuries of the temporal lobes, situated deeply towards the underside of the brain.