Interhemispheric transmission of information and functional asymmetry of the human brain

Author(s): Grabowska, A., Fersten, E.

Journal/Book: Neuropsychologia. 1996; 34: The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England OX5 1GB. Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. 147-151.

Abstract: The study investigated directional differences in interhemispheric transmission time using the VEPs method. Specificially we were interested in whether there exists an asymmetry in the transmission of information to and from the hemisphere specialized in its processing. Two type of stimuli, specific for the left and right hemisphere, were presented in the left and right visual fields. The latency differences between visual evoked potential components registered in the hemispheres ipsilateral and contralateral to the stimulated hemifield were compared. Interhemispheric transmission time was shorter when the information was transferred from the hemisphere non-specialized for its processing to the specialized one than in the opposite direction. The results suggest the existence of a physiological mechanism that ensures fast transmission of information to that hemisphere which is more efficient in its processing.

Note: Article A Nowicka, Univ Rochester, Sch Med, Dept Psychol, Box 642, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14623 USA

Keyword(s): information transmission; interhemispheric communication; hemispheric asymmetry; latency differences; visual evoked potential; DICHOTIC-LISTENING PERFORMANCE; VISUAL EVOKED-POTENTIALS; HEMISPHERIC-DIFFERENCES; SPATIAL-FREQUENCIES; RETINAL ECCENTRICITY; CORPUS-CALLOSUM; REACTION-TIME; ORIENTATION; AGENESIS; DISCRIMINATION

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