Author(s): Caleb Gardner, Nathan Bastian
Mentor(s): Jared Nielsen
Institution BYU
Auditory agnosia – often caused by lesions to the brain – is associated with an inability to understand words or environmental sounds despite hearing them. Though rare, this disorder can be detrimental to daily functioning. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) have historically been used to identify associations between brain lesions and neurological disorders. Through these methods, prior research has suggested that auditory agnosia is correlated with lesions in the bilateral temporal lobes and Wernicke’s area. However, less research has focused on identifying common circuits in the brain that are linked to this disorder. Much remains to be understood about the intricacies and mysteries of the human brain. While the general functions of each respective brain lobe have been discovered, in neuroscience, there is a general lack of specificity regarding the roles of lesions in specific brain locations. In this study, we used lesion network mapping to determine functional networks associated with brain lesions leading to auditory agnosia. We conducted a systematic literature review through Cadima, a software designed for comprehensive reviews, to find case studies of patients presenting with auditory agnosia following brain lesions from various origins, using specific inclusion criteria. From the search, we identified 29 cases presenting with these symptoms. We then performed lesion network mapping analysis on the 29 afflicted patients, using a comparison of a large cohort of healthy control resting-state scans. Through this analysis, we aim to create a dual specificity and sensitivity map, outlining the exact areas associated with auditory agnosia. Our research aims to identify a significant causal connection between this disorder and the research techniques utilized by cognitive neuroscientists.