Hemispheric specialization for tactile perception opposed by contralateral noise

Cerebral asymmetry in schizophrenia

The hemispheres of the human brain are anatomically and functionally asymmetric, and many cognitive and motor functions such as language and handedness are lateralized. This review examines anatomical, psychological, and physiological approaches to the understanding of separate hemispheric functions and their integration. The concept of hemispheric laterality plays a central role in current neuropsychological and pathophysiological models of schizophrenia. Reduced hemispheric asymmetry has also been reported for other mental disorders, for example, bipolar disorder. Recent research reflects an increasing interest in the molecular and population genetics of laterality and its potential link with animal models of schizophrenia. The authors review the principles of laterality and brain asymmetry and discuss the evidence for changes in asymmetry in schizophrenia and other mental disorders.

Right hemisphere contribution to developmental language disorder: Neuroanatomical and behavioral evidence

Developmental language disorder (DLD) is identified by virtue of the verbal deficits that define it. However, numerous studies have also documented nonverbal deficits in this population. This study attempts to explain the co-occurrence of both verbal and nonverbal deficits in this population from a brain-based perspective. Two samples of adults selected for DLD were compared with subjects without such a history on verbal and nonverbal skills in exploratory and confirmatory studies. Subjects also received MRI scans, which were used to determine the relation between left- and right-hemisphere regions hypothesized to relate to the behavioral skills tested. Results revealed replicable differences between groups on both verbal and nonverbal tasks. In addition, a significant association between performance on tests sensitive to facial affect and spatial rotation with the gray matter volume within the right supramarginal gyrus was found in both samples. These results support the hypothesis of a right hemisphere contribution to the profile of DLD.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

As a result of this activity, the participant will be able to describe evidence in support of a role for the right hemisphere in DLD.