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Bondi D, Prete G, Malatesta G, Robazza C. Laterality in Children: Evidence for Task-Dependent Lateralization of Motor Functions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17186705. [PMID: 32942557 PMCID: PMC7558377 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17186705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The behavioral preference for the use of one side of the body starts from pre-natal life and prompt humans to develop motor asymmetries. The type of motor task completed influences those functional asymmetries. However, there is no real consensus on the occurrence of handedness during developmental ages. Therefore, we aimed to determine which motor asymmetries emerged differently during childhood. A total sample of 381 children in grades 1 to 5 (6-11 years old) of primary school were recruited and tested for two fine coordination tasks (Floppy, led by dexterity, and Thumb, led by speed-dominated skills) and handgrip strength (HS). Data about their handedness, footedness and sports participation were also collected. Children performed better with their dominant side, especially for the Floppy and HS tests. The asymmetries were more marked in right-handed children and did not differ by age, gender or type of sport. Our findings support the thesis of a functional lateralization in complex coordinative tasks and in maximal strength during developmental ages. Furthermore, our findings extend the evidence of a stronger lateralization in right-handed individuals, demonstrating it at a functional level in primary school children performing motor tasks. Fine motor skills allow a "fine" understanding of developmental trajectories of lateralized behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Bondi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giulia Prete
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Gianluca Malatesta
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Claudio Robazza
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
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Abstract
The human brain is often characterized in terms of a duality, with the left and right brains serving complementary functions, and even individuals are sometimes classified as either "left-brained" or "right-brained." Recent evidence from brain imaging shows that hemispheric asymmetry is multidimensional, comprised of independent lateralized circuits. Cerebral asymmetries, which include handedness, probably arise in phylogenesis through the fissioning of ancestral systems that divided and lateralized with increasing demand for specialization. They also vary between individuals, with some showing absent or reversed asymmetries. It is unlikely that this variation is controlled by a single gene, as sometimes assumed, but depends rather on complex interplay among several, perhaps many, genes. Hemispheric asymmetry has often been regarded as a unique mark of being human, but it has also become evident that behavioral and cerebral asymmetries are not confined to humans, and are widespread among animal species. They nevertheless exist against a fundamental background of bilateral symmetry, suggesting a tradeoff between the two. Individual differences in asymmetry, moreover, are themselves adaptive, contributing to the cognitive and behavioral specializations necessary for societies to operate efficiently.
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Abstract
The symptoms of adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) generally include impaired concentration; an insensitivity to social cues, being hard to get along with, and being internally restlessness. It is not surprising that these problems are likely to affect the performance of college students with ADHD. The study aims to examine whether ADHD symptoms are associated with handedness in college students in Taiwan. A total of 505 male and 645 female participants completed Annett's handedness questionnaire and the Traditional Chinese College ADHD Response Evaluation Student Response Inventory (C-CARE-SRI). Handedness was scored both categorically, mixed vs. not-mixed, and continuously, using the Hand Preference Index. The Inattention score was significantly higher for students who were mixed-handed than for those who were not, after social pressure against using the left hand to write had been adjusted for. However, the differences in Hyperactivity and Impulsivity scores were nonsignificant. In addition, the correlations between all three ADHD and Hand Preference Index factor-scores were nonsignificant. To sum up, mixed-handedness is associated with a higher Inattention score. The potential underlying mechanism relating to ADHD Inattention is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Li Lin
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chun Tsuang
- Center of General Education, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Schmitz J, Metz GA, Güntürkün O, Ocklenburg S. Beyond the genome—Towards an epigenetic understanding of handedness ontogenesis. Prog Neurobiol 2017; 159:69-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Crespi B, Read S, Hurd P. Segregating polymorphisms of FOXP2 are associated with measures of inner speech, speech fluency and strength of handedness in a healthy population. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2017; 173:33-40. [PMID: 28609679 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We genotyped a healthy population for three haplotype-tagging FOXP2 SNPs, and tested for associations of these SNPs with strength of handedness and questionnaire-based metrics of inner speech characteristics (ISP) and speech fluency (FLU), as derived from the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-BR. Levels of mixed-handedness were positively correlated with ISP and FLU, supporting prior work on these two domains. Genotype for rs7799109, a SNP previously linked with lateralization of left frontal regions underlying language, was associated with degree of mixed handedness and with scores for ISP and FLU phenotypes. Genotype of rs1456031, which has previously been linked with auditory hallucinations, was also associated with ISP phenotypes. These results provide evidence that FOXP2 SNPs influence aspects of human inner speech and fluency that are related to lateralized phenotypes, and suggest that the evolution of human language, as mediated by the adaptive evolution of FOXP2, involved features of inner speech.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Silven Read
- Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Peter Hurd
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2R3, Canada
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Abstract
Hemispheric asymmetry is commonly viewed as a dual system, unique to humans, with the two sides of the human brain in complementary roles. To the contrary, modern research shows that cerebral and behavioral asymmetries are widespread in the animal kingdom, and that the concept of duality is an oversimplification. The brain has many networks serving different functions; these are differentially lateralized, and involve many genes. Unlike the asymmetries of the internal organs, brain asymmetry is variable, with a significant minority of the population showing reversed asymmetries or the absence of asymmetry. This variability may underlie the divisions of labor and the specializations that sustain social life. (JINS, 2017, 23, 710-718).
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Espírito-Santo H, Pires CF, Garcia IQ, Daniel F, Silva AGD, Fazio RL. Preliminary validation of the Portuguese Edinburgh Handedness Inventory in an adult sample. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-ADULT 2017; 24:275-287. [PMID: 28362169 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2017.1290636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) is persistently the most used inventory to evaluate handedness, being neuropsychological investigation and clinical practice. Despite this, there is no information on how this instrument functions in a Portuguese population. The objective of this study was therefore to examine the sociodemographic influences on handedness and establish psychometric properties of the EHI in a Portuguese sample. The sample consisted of 342 adults (157 men and 185 women), assessed with a battery of neuropsychological tests. The mean EHI Laterality Quotient was 63.52 (SD = 38.00). A much high percentage of ambiguous-handedness compared to left-handedness was detected. An inconsistency was found between the preference for formal education activities (writing-drawing-using scissors) and the remaining EHI activities. From sociodemographic variables, only age, area, and regions of residence showed significant influence on EHI scores. The reliability and temporal reliability of EHI were adequate. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a one-factor model (χ2/df = 2.141; TLI = 0.972; CFI = 0.979; RMSEA = 0.058). The inconsistency between formal education and nonformal activities could be an indicator of social pressure. The present data give support for the notion that handedness measured by EHI is potentially sensitive to sociodemographic and cultural influences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Fernanda Daniel
- a Instituto Superior Miguel Torga , Coimbra , Portugal.,b Centro de Estudos e Investigação em Saúde da Universidade de Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Alexandre Gomes da Silva
- b Centro de Estudos e Investigação em Saúde da Universidade de Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal.,c Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal
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Tsuang HC, Chen WJ, Kuo SY, Hsiao PC. Handedness and schizotypy: The potential effect of changing the writing-hand. Psychiatry Res 2016; 242:198-203. [PMID: 27289325 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.04.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2015] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Mixed-handedness, which has been associated with schizotypy in recent studies, might exist for at least two different reasons: it is innate or it has been forced. We examined whether the association between mixed-handedness and schizotypy differs depending on its source. We enrolled 3485 college students in Taiwan. We used both the Perceptual Aberration Scale and Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire to assess schizotypy, and the Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire to assess handedness. Two ways of classifying handedness were examined: the three-way classification based on Annett's categories and mixed- vs. non-mixed-handedness based on Degree of Handedness. Both mixed-handedness groups showed higher positive schizotypy scores. Among mixed handers, those who had been required to change their writing hand from left to right had higher positive schizotypy scores. Being forced to change writing hand seemed to be related to a higher level of schizotypy. The potential effect of the social pressure against using the left hand for writing is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Chun Tsuang
- Center of General Education, School of Liberal Arts Education, Chang Jung Christian University, No. 396, Sec. 1, Changrong Road, Gueiren District, Tainan 71101, Taiwan.
| | - Wei J Chen
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Genetic Epidemiology Core Laboratory, Center of Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Yu Kuo
- School of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chang Hsiao
- Genetic Epidemiology Core Laboratory, Center of Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Robinson KJ, Hurd PL, Read S, Crespi BJ. The PCSK6 gene is associated with handedness, the autism spectrum, and magical ideation in a non-clinical population. Neuropsychologia 2016; 84:205-12. [PMID: 26921480 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Common polymorphisms in the gene PCSK6, whose protein product mediates the development of brain and body asymmetry through the NODAL pathway, have recently been associated with handedness in three studies, making it a key candidate gene for understanding the developmental and expression of human lateralization. We tested the hypothesis that the PCSK6 VNTR polymorphism rs1053972 influences the expression of handedness and aspects of dimensional schizotypy and autism. For a sample of 709 healthy individuals, rs1053972 genotype was significantly associated with categorical measures of handedness, and with dimensional handedness in subsets of the population with high schizotypy and magical ideation or a lack of strong right-handedness. Both findings showed evidence of stronger or exclusive effects among females, compared to males. Genotypes of PCSK6 also showed significant sex-limited associations with magical ideation, a component of positive schizotypal cognition measured using the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, and total autism score, measured using the Autism Spectrum Quotient. These results partially replicate previous studies on effects of PCSK6 rs1053972 genetic variation on handedness phenotypes, link the PCSK6 gene with the dimensional expression of neurodevelopmental conditions in healthy individuals, and show that associations of this gene with handedness and psychological phenotypes exhibit evidence of sex-limited effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey J Robinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Peter L Hurd
- Department of Psychology, and Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R3.
| | - Silven Read
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Bernard J Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6.
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Geography, History, and the Left Hand. Laterality 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801239-0.00008-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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12
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Porac C. Disorders, Diseases, and Life on the Left. Laterality 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801239-0.00009-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Shobe E, Desimone K. Inconsistent handers show higher psychopathy than consistent handers. Laterality 2015; 21:143-60. [DOI: 10.1080/1357650x.2015.1089879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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14
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Francks C. Exploring human brain lateralization with molecular genetics and genomics. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2015; 1359:1-13. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Clyde Francks
- Language and Genetics Department; Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics; Nijmegen the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior; Radboud University Nijmegen; Nijmegen the Netherlands
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Abstract
Inconsistent results of the molecular studies for handedness have been reported. One of the key issues involved could be ways of assessing handedness. The current study aimed to identify the index of handedness better reveal the genetic component, which showed higher heritability. We measured handedness using the Annett's handedness questionnaire. The college students participating in this study filled the questionnaire in the class while their first-degree relatives returned questionnaires one to two weeks later. A total of 1,968 subjects returned their questionnaires, including 640 college students and 1,328 first-degree relatives. Among the 449 college students returning at least one handedness questionnaire for their parents, a total of 449 fathers, 440 mothers, and 425 siblings participated in the study. The index of mixed-handedness (e.g., Degree of Handedness) showed highest heritability (0.67), followed by the Hand Preference Index (0.52), and then the Direction of Handedness (0.39). Using an index of mixed-handedness for future molecular studies was suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Ju Lien
- a Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, College of Education , National Taiwan Normal University , Taipei , Taiwan
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Lai A, Serra M, Petretto DR, Masala C, Preti A. Patterns of hand preference in Italian adolescent high-school students. Laterality 2014; 19:718-44. [PMID: 24779383 DOI: 10.1080/1357650x.2014.911747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire (AHPQ) is amongst the most widely used self-report measures of handedness. The psychometric properties of the AHPQ have been rarely evaluated outside the Anglo-Saxon culture where the majority of the studies on the AHPQ were done. In this study, 1,023 students (males=49.5%) from four large high schools operating in the district of Cagliari (Italy) were invited to fill in the Italian version of the AHPQ. The AHPQ was proved to measure a unidimensional latent trait, and the questionnaire was good at assessing deviation from right-handedness with high discrimination between subjects. Some items were more informative than others, and in particular the non-equivalence between the primary and the non-primary actions was confirmed by both the confirmatory factor and the item response theory analysis. The use of the rule of thumb that classifies subjects on the basis of the primary actions was supported for the distinction between consistent right- and left-handed. However, the mixed-handed group identified on the basis of the rule of thumb was not entirely consistent with the mixed-handed class predicted by the latent class analysis. Males were about twice as likely as females to be in the mixed-handed class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Lai
- a Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, Section on Clinical Psychology , University of Cagliari , Cagliari , Italy
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Abstract
Handedness and brain asymmetry are widely regarded as unique to humans, and associated with complementary functions such as a left-brain specialization for language and logic and a right-brain specialization for creativity and intuition. In fact, asymmetries are widespread among animals, and support the gradual evolution of asymmetrical functions such as language and tool use. Handedness and brain asymmetry are inborn and under partial genetic control, although the gene or genes responsible are not well established. Cognitive and emotional difficulties are sometimes associated with departures from the "norm" of right-handedness and left-brain language dominance, more often with the absence of these asymmetries than their reversal.
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Dinsdale NL, Hurd PL, Wakabayashi A, Elliot M, Crespi BJ. How are autism and schizotypy related? Evidence from a non-clinical population. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63316. [PMID: 23691021 PMCID: PMC3655150 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Both autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) and schizophrenia spectrum conditions (SSCs) involve altered or impaired social and communicative functioning, but whether these shared features indicate overlapping or different etiological factors is unknown. We outline three hypotheses (overlapping, independent, and diametric) for the possible relationship between ASCs and SSCs, and compare their predictions for the expected relationships between autistic and schizotypal phenotypes using the Autism Spectrum Quotient and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief Revised from a large non-clinical sample of undergraduate students. Consistent with previous research, autistic features were positively associated with several schizotypal features, with the most overlap occurring between interpersonal schizotypy and autistic social and communication phenotypes. The first component of a principal components analysis (PCA) of subscale scores reflected these positive correlations, and suggested the presence of an axis (PC1) representing general social interest and aptitude. By contrast, the second principal component (PC2) exhibited a pattern of positive and negative loadings indicative of an axis from autism to positive schizotypy, such that positive schizotypal features loaded in the opposite direction to core autistic features. These overall PCA patterns were replicated in a second data set from a Japanese population. To evaluate the validity of our interpretation of the PCA results, we measured handedness and mental rotation ability, as these are established correlates of SSCs and ASCs, respectively. PC2 scores were significantly associated with hand preference, such that increasingly 'schizotypal' scores predicted reduced strength of handedness, which is consistent with previous research. PC1 scores were positively related to performance on the mental rotation task, suggesting trade-offs between social skills and visual-spatial ability. These results provide novel evidence for an autism-positive schizotypy axis, and highlight the importance of recognizing that psychological variation involving reduced social interest and functioning may have diverse causes.
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