Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
07:03
Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice
Published on: July 31, 2019
Bidirectional connectivity between hemispheres occurs at multiple levels in language processing but depends on sex
Tali Bitan1, Adi Lifshitz, Zvia Breznitz
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the Study of Learning Disabilities, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. tbitan@research.haifa.ac.il
Summary
This study reveals how brain hemispheres communicate during speech tasks. Findings show right-to-left information flow in auditory processing and bilateral cooperation in phonological tasks, with sex-based differences observed.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Understanding interhemispheric communication is crucial for deciphering brain function.
- The roles of different brain regions in phonological processing and their hemispheric interactions remain an active area of research.
- Previous studies suggest lateralization of language functions, but the dynamics of interhemispheric transfer are complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the directionality of interhemispheric communication during a phonological task.
- To identify specific brain regions involved in different processing levels of speech perception.
- To explore potential sex differences in brain connectivity during language tasks.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to collect brain activity data.
- Effective connectivity analysis was applied to fMRI data from 39 children (ages 9-15).
- Participants performed a rhyming judgment task on spoken words.
Main Results:
- Unidirectional information transfer from the right to the left auditory cortex was observed.
- Bidirectional connections between superior temporal gyri (STGs) indicated reciprocal hemispheric cooperation.
- A direct connection from the right STG to the left inferior frontal gyrus was identified, suggesting integration of right-hemisphere information.
- Intrahemispheric connectivity was stronger in the left hemisphere.
- Girls exhibited greater interhemispheric connectivity than boys.
Conclusions:
- The findings support a cooperative model of brain function with asymmetric connectivity, aligning with left-hemisphere specialization for phonological processing.
- Greater interhemispheric connectivity in girls suggests a more bilateral language representation, though it may be linked to slower performance in certain tasks.
- Interhemispheric communication can be advantageous but may also interfere with task performance depending on the cognitive demands.
More Related Videos
07:44Assessment of Cerebral Lateralization in Children using Functional Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound (fTCD)
Published on: September 27, 2010
05:36Central and Divided Visual Field Presentation of Emotional Images to Measure Hemispheric Differences in Motivated Attention
Published on: November 16, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:05Cerebral Hemispheres
The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...
01:28Lateralization
Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.
01:27Language and Cognition
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
01:11Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II
Each cerebral hemisphere can be divided into three main regions. The outermost region, the cerebral cortex, is a thin layer (2 to 4 millimeters thick) made up of gray matter, consisting of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, glial cells, and blood vessels. The middle region, or white matter, is primarily composed of myelinated nerve fibers organized into three types of large tracts: association fibers, commissures, and projection fibers. Association fibers connect different areas within the same...
01:22Lobes of the Cerebrum
The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements.