Research into the effects of strokes has furthered our understanding of the different roles of the left and right sides of our brains.
A study led by the University of Exeter has highlighted differences in the ability of people to perform basic tasks, depending on whether the left or right sides of their brains have been damaged by a stroke. The research identified the role of the right side of the brain in noticing and correcting errors.
The research focused on damage to the frontal lobes, the front part of the brain which is known to be responsible for aspects of language, decision making and learning. The team found that people who had damage to their left side were more likely to realise they had made a mistake, and then correct it, compared to those who had damage to their right frontal lobes. Funded by the Wellcome Trust, the research is now published in the journal Brain.
Dr Tim Hodgson, neuro-psychologist at the University of Exeter and lead researcher on this study, said: We know that suffering a stroke in the left frontal region can affect aspects of speech and language, but this research highlights, for the first time, the additional challenges that people with right frontal-lobe damage might face in everyday life."