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Related Experiment Videos

Asymmetries in preparation for action.

J L. Bradshaw1

  • 1Neuropsychology Research Unit, Dept of Psychology, Monash University, 3800,., Victoria, Australia

Trends in Cognitive Sciences
|April 27, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Hemispheric specialization for action control remains unclear. New evidence suggests the right hemisphere handles spatial processing, while the left manages movement timing, potentially predating language specialization.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Science
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • The precise origins and mechanisms of hemispheric specialization in action control are not well understood.
  • Existing theories often focus on language lateralization, with less emphasis on the evolutionary timeline of motor control specialization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent evidence regarding hemispheric specialization in action control.
  • To explore the potential chronological order of specialization between the right hemisphere (spatial) and left hemisphere (temporal/language).

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature and evidence.
  • Analysis of findings related to spatial interpretation and temporal control in motor actions.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests the right hemisphere is specialized for interpreting spatial relationships.
  • The left hemisphere appears specialized for the temporal control of movement.
  • This right-hemisphere spatial specialization may have emerged before left-hemisphere specialization for language and movement.

Conclusions:

  • Hemispheric specialization for action control involves distinct roles for the right (spatial) and left (temporal) hemispheres.
  • The evolutionary trajectory of motor control lateralization might differ from that of language lateralization.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the developmental and evolutionary pathways of brain lateralization.

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