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Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Translational Brain Mapping at the University of Rochester Medical Center: Preserving the Mind Through Personalized Brain Mapping
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Normal language in abnormal brains.

Massimo Piattelli-Palmarini1

  • 1PO Box 210028, University of Arizona, Department of Linguistics, Tucson, AZ 85721-0028, United States.

Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|March 4, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Major brain anomalies like hydrocephaly can occur early in life, yet individuals may retain normal language function. This suggests neuronal redundancy or microtubule roles in brain plasticity and language processing.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurolinguistics
  • Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

  • Specific brain lesions in adults typically correlate with specific language deficits.
  • However, cases of normal language despite significant brain anomalies challenge established brain-language localization.
  • Such anomalies are often observed early in life, including conditions like hydrocephaly, spina bifida, and hemispherectomy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the apparent contradiction between localized brain function and cases of preserved language with brain anomalies.
  • To explore potential mechanisms underlying brain plasticity and functional compensation in developmental neurological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review and discussion of reported clinical cases with major brain anomalies and intact language.
  • Theoretical exploration of neurobiological mechanisms that could explain functional preservation.

Main Results:

  • Highlighted cases of hydrocephaly, spina bifida, and hemispherectomy demonstrating normal language despite severe brain structural differences.
  • Identified potential explanations for functional compensation, including extensive neuronal redundancy and the role of microtubules.

Conclusions:

  • The brain exhibits remarkable plasticity, particularly when anomalies occur early in development.
  • Neuronal redundancy and the intracellular functions of microtubules may be critical factors in guiding brain reconfiguration and preserving linguistic abilities.