The role of the right hemisphere in recovery from aphasia. Two case studies

Abstract

We report two female patients who became global aphasic following a large left hemisphere lesion. With passage of time they recovered to a considerable extent, but three years and six months, respectively, after the former CVA, a new stroke lateralized to the right hemisphere occurred and they showed a definite worsening of language disturbances. Possibilities and limits of the right hemisphere in "taking over" language functions are discussed.