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Dominance for vestibular cortical function in the non-dominant hemisphere
1Department of Neurology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany. dieterich@neorologie.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|August 7, 2003
Summary
This study reveals that vestibular stimulation activates brain regions bilaterally, with dominance shifting based on ear stimulation and individual handedness. Maximum brain activation occurs when the non-dominant hemisphere is stimulated, potentially influencing handedness development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Vestibular System
Background:
- The hemispheric dominance of the vestibular cortical system remains incompletely understood.
- Vestibular stimulation, such as caloric irrigation, elicits complex neural responses involving both sensory and motor pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the hemispheric dominance of the vestibular cortical system using (15)O-labelled H(2)O bolus positron emission tomography (PET).
- To investigate the differential effects of caloric vestibular stimulation on cortical and subcortical activation in relation to handedness and stimulated ear.
Main Methods:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) with (15)O-labelled H(2)O was used to measure regional cerebral blood flow.
- Caloric vestibular stimulation (warm water irrigation) was applied to either the right or left ear in 12 right-handed and 12 left-handed healthy volunteers.
Main Results:
- Significant bilateral cortical and subcortical activation was observed in areas including the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, insula, and putamen.
- Activation patterns showed a predominant ipsilateral hemispheric dominance relative to the stimulated ear.
- Right-handed individuals exhibited right hemispheric dominance, while left-handed individuals showed left hemispheric dominance for vestibular and ocular motor structures.
Conclusions:
- Cortical and subcortical activation during vestibular caloric stimulation is dependent on both subject handedness and the side of ear stimulation.
- Maximum activation occurs when the non-dominant hemisphere is ipsilateral to the stimulated ear.
- The findings suggest a potential link between early-maturing vestibular system dominance and the determination of handedness.
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