Damage to the right side of the brain can result in cognitive impairment affecting a person’s thinking, reasoning, social communication, short-term memory, and ability to concentrate. This can be caused by traumatic or acquired brain injury and affects a person’s ability to perform simple tasks and communicate effectively. Rehabilitation and recovery depend on the extent of the damage.
Cognitive brain damage occurs when an injury to the right side of the brain negatively affects a person’s thinking, reasoning, and social communication skills. The right side of the brain primarily controls a person’s ability to think rationally, solve problems, and process information. A person’s short-term memory and interactive behavior are also regulated by the right hemisphere of the brain. When the right side of the brain is injured, there is usually a marked decrease in some or all of these abilities.
One of the primary skills that is affected by cognitive brain damage is the ability to think and reason in a rational and orderly manner. A person may find even simple problems overwhelming. For example, he may have trouble understanding tasks that were once second nature, such as changing a light bulb, driving a vehicle, or solving a crossword puzzle. A person with cognitive brain damage may have difficulty following directions or step-by-step instructions and may become easily frustrated or confused.
When suffering from cognitive impairment to the brain, a person may have difficulty concentrating or paying attention for any length of time. May not be able to focus on detailed tasks and may have difficulty processing information. Damage to the right side of the brain can also affect a person’s short-term memory, making it difficult for a person to remember daily events or recent information, further affecting their ability to learn and process information.
If an individual has cognitive brain damage, they may have difficulty communicating with others and responding appropriately in social situations. That person may not be able to follow up on a conversation topic or respond with appropriate facial expressions or tone of voice. For example, she may talk out of turn, make casual comments, or laugh at inappropriate parts of the conversation.
Depending on the severity of the damage to the right side of the brain, an individual with cognitive brain damage may be neglecting their physical left side. For example, that person may not brush their hair on the left side, may not use the left side of a keyboard, or may ignore food on the left side of a plate. Generally, this occurs due to spatial disorientation and the individual does not recognize objects on the left side of his perception.
Generally, cognitive brain damage is caused by either a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or an acquired brain injury (ABI). A head injury results from an external force, such as a blow to the head or a gunshot wound. An ABI is due to internal factors, such as a tumor, aneurysm, or lack of oxygen. In both cases, the prognosis for rehabilitation and recovery depends primarily on the extent of the damage to the brain.
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