Mike or me? Self-recognition in a split-brain patient

Nat Neurosci. 2002 Sep;5(9):841-2. doi: 10.1038/nn907.

Abstract

A split-brain patient (epileptic individual whose corpus callosum had been severed to minimize the spread of seizure activity) was asked to recognize morphed facial stimuli--presented separately to each hemisphere--as either himself or a familiar other. Both hemispheres were capable of face recognition, but the left hemisphere showed a recognition bias for self and the right hemisphere a bias for familiar others. These findings suggest a possible dissociation between self-recognition and more generalized face processing within the human brain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Consciousness / physiology
  • Corpus Callosum / injuries
  • Corpus Callosum / physiopathology*
  • Functional Laterality / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Net / physiology
  • Neural Pathways / physiopathology*
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Self Concept*