Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 23, 2025

Modeling the Functional Network for Spatial Navigation in the Human Brain
Published on: October 13, 2023
Functional reorganization of spatial transformations after a parietal lesion
Jeffrey M Zacks1, Pascale Michelon, Jean M Vettel
1Department of Psychology, Washington University, Campus Box 1125, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899, USA. jzacks@artsci.wustl.edu
Following right parietal cortex damage, the left hemisphere can compensate for spatial reasoning deficits. This demonstrates significant brain plasticity in adults, similar to language processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Mental spatial transformations are crucial for daily activities.
- The posterior parietal cortex plays a key role in spatial cognition.
Observation:
- fMRI measured brain activity in a patient with right parietal cortex resection during spatial tasks.
- Patient's brain activity was compared to healthy controls.
Findings:
- Reduced activity in the resected area during spatial transformations.
- Increased activity in the contralateral cortex compared to controls.
Implications:
- The left hemisphere can assume spatial reasoning functions typically managed by the right hemisphere.
- This highlights the brain's remarkable plasticity and functional reorganization capabilities in adults.
More Related Videos
07:04Virtual Reality Tools for Assessing Unilateral Spatial Neglect: A Novel Opportunity for Data Collection
Published on: March 10, 2021
13:12Translational Brain Mapping at the University of Rochester Medical Center: Preserving the Mind Through Personalized Brain Mapping
Published on: August 12, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Somatosensation
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Lateralization
Role of Hippocampus in Memory
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
Cerebral Hemispheres