Unexpected absence of aphasia following left temporal hemorrhage: a case study with functional neuroimaging to characterize the nature of atypical language localization. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schneck, Sarah M.; Entrup, Jillian L.; Duff, Melissa C.; Wilson, Stephen M.
• Is Part Of: Neurocase. Volume 27:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 97
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Aphasia -- fMRI -- right-lateralized language -- bilateral language -- atypical language organization; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychology -- Case Report; Mental Disorders -- Case Report; Nervous System Diseases -- Case Report; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1080/13554794.2021.1886309
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-4794

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Unexpected absence of aphasia after left-hemisphere perisylvian damage is often assumed to reflect right-hemisphere language lateralization, but other potential explanations include bilateral language representation, or sparing of critical left-hemisphere regions due to individual variability. We describe the case of a left-handed gentleman who presented with no aphasia after a left temporal hemorrhage. We used functional neuroimaging to determine how his language network had been spared. In this case, we observed unequivocal right-hemisphere lateralization of language function, explaining his lack of aphasia. We discuss the variability of language organization and highlight outstanding questions about the implications of damage in different scenarios.