When the human brain's normal electrical activity is suddenly altered, a seizure can result. Seizures cause several behavioral and physical complications such as sudden mood changes, muscle spasms, or uncontrollable body shaking. Seizure impulses often start in one hemisphere of the brain and travel to the other. Which of the following surgical treatments would reduce the severity of seizures?
A)severing the suprachiasmatic nucleus so that the patient's biological clock has altered circadian rhythms
B)severing the corpus callosum so that the brain has diminished ability to send messages between the two cerebral hemispheres
C)severing the parietal lobe so that speech capabilities are diminished
D)stimulating the cerebrum to allow the retention of short-term memory capabilities

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Severing the corpus callosum would reduce the severity of seizures by preventing the spread of seizure impulses from one hemisphere to the other. This procedure is known as corpus callosotomy and is often used in cases of severe epilepsy. Severing the suprachiasmatic nucleus (A) would disrupt the patient's circadian rhythms and not affect seizures. Severing the parietal lobe (C) would affect sensory processing and not seizures. Stimulating the cerebrum (D) can be used for various benefits, but it is not a surgical treatment for seizures.

When the Human Brain's Normal Electrical Activity Is Suddenly Altered