Stroke case

[Float]

A person has had a stroke a few months ago. He used to be talkactive on topics that interested him. Now he only uses three words: yes ,no and but. He understands what others say and use these three words along with pointing to communicate. His right side is partly paralyzed, his left side is fine.
What changes are likely to have occurred to his brain? Are there any more likely effects that are not as easily noticed, such as emotional or creative centres for example?

I only know some basics of neuroscience and I don't know this person intimately. I am curious though.

 

[Proletar]

A stroke can affect a person in many different ways. It all depends on where it hits.

Another fact about the brain that gets circumvented a lot of times is it's plasticity. If your friend loses the ability to speak because one part of the brain is damaged, then another part of the brain can fill it's function with time and training. People suffering from strokes will often not recover fully, but they can most certainly get better in most cases.

 

[Paladin-X]

Here is a TED talk from a neuroscientist that suffered a stroke:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU

Not sure how helpful it will be since she suffered the stroke in her left brain, rather than the right. Interesting video nonetheless.

 

[Hadoblado]

It partially paralyses his right side? -> He's got damage to the left hemisphere

He's got issues with language -> He's got damage to the left hemisphere

Able to understand language but trouble producing it? -> Broca's aphasia (damage to Broca's area)

Just remember that while the brain is modular, most parts serve several functions, and neuroplasticity can compensate by either strengthening another function that can be used instead, or taking over the role of the now dead area.