Individual Differences in Hemispheric Specialization

Individual Differences in Hemispheric Specialization PDF

Author: A. Glass

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 403

ISBN-13: 1468478990

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This volume originates from a NATO Advanced Research Workshop held in Maratea. Italy from 8th-15th October 198~. Aims and contributions are described at greater length in the Introduction and the following chapters. It is hoped that this volume will provide a critical overview of hemispheric specialization in relation to individual differences, but one that is not intended to be comprehensive. Three contributions on this theme are made by authors who were invited to the Workshop but were unable to participate in it. The volume contains a critical appraisal of the differentially specialized functions of left and right human cerebral hemispheres in verbal and visuospatial domains respectively (formerly cerebral dominance). in relation to individual variation due. for example. to gender and handedness. Critical cross-comparison of several methods of assessing hemispheric specialization such as perceptual/behavioral. clinical/neurological. electrophysiological and "real time" methods of assessment of cerebral orientation have been made. Individual differences have been considered in relation to statistical concepts in the assessment of cerebral lateralization. Some emphasis has been placed on the application of these methods and concepts to psychopathology.

Individual Differences in Hemispheric Specialization

Individual Differences in Hemispheric Specialization PDF

Author: A Glass

Publisher:

Published: 1987-11-01

Total Pages: 420

ISBN-13: 9781468479003

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It has long been recognized that the left cerebral hemisphere is specialized for language and possibly other symbolic process, and that the right hemisphere has a visuospatial specialization. Aphasia affecting the cerebral hemisphere on the same side as the preferred hand has also long been understood. Individual variation in degree and direction of specialization due to gender and handedness has, until recently, been regarded as a barrier to the investigation of lateralization, and at the same time individual differences have been used to explain differences in lateralization measurements on a post-hoc basis. This volume provides cross comparisons of several methods for assessing hemispheric specialization, methods such as perceptual/behavioral, clinical/neurological, electrophysiological, and real-time techniques for assessment of cerebral orientation. Errors of assessment should thereby be differentiable from individual variations in hemispheric specialization. It is the consensus of the authors of theses research notes that hemispheric specialization may reemerge, not as a monolithic, absolute structural concept, but as a dynamic process, modulating the utilization by differential strategy, activation, and arousal, of a relative structural specialization of the hemisphere in individual subjects. The importance of these concepts for psychopathology is also considered. Keywords: Electrophysiological asymmetries; Anatomical circulatory asymmetries; Perceptual behavioral asymmetries; Individual differences; Gender; Handedness.

Micro-, Meso- and Macro-Connectomics of the Brain

Micro-, Meso- and Macro-Connectomics of the Brain PDF

Author: Henry Kennedy

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2016-03-10

Total Pages: 173

ISBN-13: 3319277774

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This book has brought together leading investigators who work in the new arena of brain connectomics. This includes ‘macro-connectome’ efforts to comprehensively chart long-distance pathways and functional networks; ‘micro-connectome’ efforts to identify every neuron, axon, dendrite, synapse, and glial process within restricted brain regions; and ‘meso-connectome’ efforts to systematically map both local and long-distance connections using anatomical tracers. This book highlights cutting-edge methods that can accelerate progress in elucidating static ‘hard-wired’ circuits of the brain as well as dynamic interactions that are vital for brain function. The power of connectomic approaches in characterizing abnormal circuits in the many brain disorders that afflict humankind is considered. Experts in computational neuroscience and network theory provide perspectives needed for synthesizing across different scales in space and time. Altogether, this book provides an integrated view of the challenges and opportunities in deciphering brain circuits in health and disease.

Hemispheric Specialization and Psychological Function

Hemispheric Specialization and Psychological Function PDF

Author: John L. Bradshaw

Publisher:

Published: 1989

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13:

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The study of human laterality or cerebral asymmetry has attracted particular attention in research involving such areas as pattern recognition and language and motor skills. Brings readers up to date on the rapid progress in this area of neuropsychology. It describes the latest research on laterality in nonhuman species, going on to examine clinical, commissurotomy and normative studies of human cerebral asymmetry. Explores theoretical models of hemispheric specialization and interaction, language in the °minor° (right) hemisphere and language, tool use, dextrality and bipedalism in human evolution. Succeeding chapters discuss handedness, sex and developmental aspects, particularly individual and developmental differences in cognitive abilities. Recent popular generalizations concerning °hemisphericity° are also described.

Handedness and Brain Asymmetry

Handedness and Brain Asymmetry PDF

Author: Marian Annett

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2013-04-15

Total Pages: 405

ISBN-13: 1134950748

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Brain asymmetry for speech is moderately related to handedness but what are the rules? Are symmetries for hand and brain associated with characteristics such as intelligence, motor skill, spatial reasoning or skill at sports? In this follow up to the influential Left, Right Hand and Brain (1985) Marian Annett draws on a working lifetime of research to help provide answers to crucial questions. Central to her argument is the Right Shift Theory - her original and innovative contribution to the field that seeks to explain the relationships between left-and right-handedness and left-and right-brain specialisation. The theory proposes that handedness in humans and our non-human primate relations depends on chance but that chance is weighted towards right-handedness in most people by an agent of right-hemisphere disadvantage. It argues for the existence of a single gene for right shift (RS+) that evolved in humans to aid the growth of speech in the left hemisphere of the brain. The Right Shift Theory has possible implications for a wide range of questions about human abilities and disabilities, including verbal and non verbal intelligence, educational progress and dyslexia, spatial reasoning, sporting skills and mental illness. It continues to be at the cutting edge of research, solving problems and generating new avenues of investigation - most recently the surprising idea that a mutant RS+ gene might be involved in the causes of schizophrenia and autism. Handedness and Brain Asymmetry will make fascinating reading for students and researchers in psychology and neurology, educationalists, and anyone with a keen interest in why people have different talents and weaknesses.

The Decline and Fall of Hemispheric Specialization

The Decline and Fall of Hemispheric Specialization PDF

Author: Robert Efron

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2013-06-17

Total Pages: 144

ISBN-13: 1134758170

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Providing a personal overview of hemispheric differences in human cognitive activity, Professor Efron is selective in his presentation of significant issues. To ensure a balanced overview, references are made to many books, review articles, and research reports that present opposing positions. Although additional material has been included in this book, the informal style of the oral presentation has not been altered. This volume may be perceived as a report of one man's opinion; however, the conclusions may reflect the views of a "silent majority" of cognitive neuroscientists.

The Two Sides of Perception

The Two Sides of Perception PDF

Author: Richard B. Ivry

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 9780262090346

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Anatomically, the central nervous system looks remarkably symmetrical--from the relatively simple structures of the spinal cord to the extensively convoluted folds of the cerebral hemispheres. At the functional level, however, there are striking differences between the left and right hemispheres. Although popular writings attribute language abilities to the left hemisphere and spatial abilities to the right, differences in hemispheric function appear to be more subtle. According to Ivry and Robertson, asymmetries over a wide range of perceptual tasks reflect a difference in strength rather than kind, with both hemispheres contributing to the performance of complex tasks, whether linguistic or spatial. After an historical introduction, the authors offer a cognitive neuroscience perspective on hemispheric specialization in perception. They propose that the two hemispheres differ in how they filter task-relevant sensory information. Building on the idea that the hemispheres construct asymmetric representations, the hypothesis provides a novel account of many laterality effects. A notable feature of the authors' work is their attempt to incorporate hemispheric specialization in vision, audition, music, and language within a common framework. In support of their theory, they review studies involving both healthy and neurologically impaired individuals. They also provide a series of simulations to demonstrate the underlying computational principles of their theory. Their work thus describes both the cognitive and neurological architecture of hemispheric asymmetries in perception.