Stroke Buddies 26, Language and the Brain, Bruce Hetzler, PhD

Описание: WHY YOU CAN'T SPEAK BUT CAN STILL SING: THE BRAIN'S LANGUAGE MAP REVEALED
Subscribe to our channel to support us and other stroke survivors!
In this video, Dr. Bruce Hetzler delivers a fascinating neuroscience masterclass on how stroke affects language. From Broca's famous patient "Tan" who could only say one word, to understanding why some survivors can sing but not speak, Dr. Hetzler maps the brain's language centers with clarity and humor. Learn about different types of aphasia, why the right hemisphere controls the melody of speech, and what happens when specific brain pathways are damaged. Essential viewing for anyone affected by communication challenges after stroke.

Every Contribution Powers Our Mission

Stroke Buddies thrives on community support and volunteer dedication. Your donation—no matter how modest—directly sustains our educational programs, expert presentations, and survivor resources. Together, we're bringing world-class neuroscience education to stroke survivors everywhere. Make your impact count today.
Donate here: https://www.strokebuddies.org/donate
Unlock Our Complete Resource Library
Get access to all of the content & services available at Stroke Buddies on our website.
Visit us: https://www.strokebuddies.org/

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction and restraining order joke
3:20 - Defining aphasia and cerebrovascular accidents
6:45 - Broca's patient "Tan" and the discovery of language centers (1861)
11:30 - Broca's area location and non-fluent aphasia explained
15:40 - Randy Travis case: why stroke survivors can sing but not speak
19:25 - Wernicke's aphasia: fluent but meaningless speech
24:50 - The arcuate fasciculus pathway and conduction aphasia
30:15 - Global aphasia from middle cerebral artery damage
34:20 - Alexia with agraphia vs. pure alexia
39:10 - The angular gyrus: converting visual to auditory information
43:35 - Right hemisphere functions: phonagnosia (voice recognition)
47:50 - Prosopagnosia: the man who mistook his wife for a hat
52:30 - Prosody: the melody and rhythm of speech
57:45 - Motor vs. sensory aprosodia in the right hemisphere
62:20 - New Finnish study on vocal music therapy for Broca's aphasia
66:40 - Q&A: mixed aphasia symptoms and real-world cases
73:15 - Upcoming presentations with General Michael Hayden and aphasia advocates

Dr. Hetzler explains that aphasia results from damage to specific brain regions, most commonly from stroke. Broca's area (left frontal lobe) controls speech production; damage causes telegraphic, non-fluent speech but preserved comprehension. Wernicke's area (left temporal lobe) handles language understanding; damage produces fluent but meaningless speech. The arcuate fasciculus connects these regions—when damaged, it causes conduction aphasia where comprehension is intact but repetition fails. Global aphasia destroys both areas.

Remarkably, singing ability often remains because it's controlled by the right hemisphere, explaining why some survivors can sing lyrics they cannot speak. The angular gyrus converts written words to auditory form for comprehension, critical for reading. Right hemisphere damage causes phonagnosia (inability to recognize voices) or prosopagnosia (inability to recognize faces). Prosody—speech melody and emotion—is a right hemisphere function mirroring left hemisphere language organization. A groundbreaking 2021 Finnish study showed that listening to vocal music one hour daily for two months significantly improved Broca's aphasia recovery by strengthening frontal lobe pathways.

Connect With Our Thriving Community

Join thousands of stroke survivors, caregivers, and advocates sharing knowledge, hope, and breakthroughs every day.

Join here:   / strokebuddies  
Never Miss a Meeting or Resource

Click this to get links for all our Zoom meetings and Stroke Buddies Groups.
Get links:   / sblinks