• Question: I was wondering, what would happen if the left side and the right side of the brain got mixed up? Would anything be different? Would you lose sense of balance or not be able to talk etc. ?

    Asked by annabelbutcher to Damien, Suzi, Tim on 23 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Tim Fosker

      Tim Fosker answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      Hi @annabelbutcher

      There are definitely some things we do that are controlled by the right side of the brain and others by the left, but there are also lots of things that require both sides. If we connected the motor neurons that go from your brain to your muscles differently so that the left side of your brain controlled the left side of your body (it controls the opposite side normally) I think you would be very clumsy to begin with. However, with time you should adapt.

      A large amount of language needs the left hemisphere in most people (but some people use the right for language more). The brain is plastic and can remap functions to different areas of the brain, although this can take a very long time.

      I hope that answers your question.

    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      Hi @annabelbutcher
      Thanks for this question. I like Tim’s answer to this, it’s definitely the case that some parts of the brain control opposite sides of the body, and some functions are ‘lateralized’ (specific to one side of the brain).

      However, different people have different amounts of ‘laterality’. For example, left handed people’s brains are much less lateralized, so for them it might not make any difference at all.

      Hope this helps, it’s a very interesting question!

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