What Do Lesions on the Brain After a Stroke Indicate?

A stroke is caused by a sudden stop in the blood supply to the brain from a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel, resulting in rapid brain cell death. The longer the patient has to wait before receiving medical attention, the more serious the damage is on the brain. Lesions on the brain are abnormal tissue formed after the trauma of a stroke and indicate injury to that part of the brain. While responsible for different functions, each lobe of the brain is susceptible to injury from a stroke.

Frontal Lobe

• The frontal lobe is the front most part of the brain and is involved with selective attention, working memory that is for immediate use information, and your ability to plan, organize and problem solve. In addition, the frontal lobe is also associated with personality and emotion. When damaged, frontal lobe lesions lead to personality changes, irrationality and difficulty in memorizing and paying attention.

Parietal Lobe

• Located behind the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe contains the primary sensory cortex, which controls sensations from touch and pressure. When the right half of the parietal lobe is injured, patients display visuo-spatial deficits that result in problems with moving around. When the left half of the parietal lobe is injured, patients may have problems with written and spoken language.

Occipital Lobe

• The occipital lobe is toward the back of the head and processes information such as visual reception and recognizing shapes and colors. When injured by a stroke, visual deficits arise.

Temporal Lobe

• Located to the side above the ears, the temporal lobe holds the hippocampus, which processes short-term memories into long-term memories. The right side of the temporal lobe is responsible for visual memories, while the left side of the temporal lobe is responsible for verbal memories. Damage to either part of the temporal lobe can disrupt normal memory functions.

Brain Stem

• The brain stem controls the vital involuntary functions of the body such as breathing, heart rate, alertness and digestion. When injury occurs on the brain stem from a stroke, patients can become severely impaired or enter a vegetative state. Other symptoms of a brain stem stroke include paralysis, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and dizziness or nausea from uncontrolled eye movement.

Cerebellum

• The cerebellum controls balance and movement as well as reflexes and coordination. Patients with lesions on the cerebellum from a stroke will have problems walking, moving and coordinating movements.