Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 24, 2026
07:03
Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice
Published on: July 31, 2019
6.4K
Functional specialization in the human brain estimated by intrinsic hemispheric interaction
Danhong Wang1, Randy L Buckner2, Hesheng Liu3
1Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02129, and.
Summary
The human brain shows specialized processing within each hemisphere, particularly in association cortices. This hemispheric specialization may support the evolution of larger brains by minimizing cross-hemisphere communication.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- The human brain exhibits significant functional specialization and hemispheric asymmetries.
- Understanding the interaction patterns within and between brain hemispheres is crucial for deciphering brain organization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hemispheric specialization by analyzing preferential interactions between ipsilateral and contralateral brain networks using fMRI.
- To explore how functional specialization relates to evolutionary cortical expansion.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed to map brain network interactions.
- Analysis focused on the degree of preferential within-hemisphere (ipsilateral) versus between-hemisphere (contralateral) network coupling.
Main Results:
- Preferential within-hemisphere interaction was most pronounced in heteromodal association cortices and least in sensorimotor cortices.
- The frontoparietal control network showed distinct ipsilateral coupling patterns: with default and language networks in the left hemisphere, and attention networks in the right hemisphere.
- Regions with high asymmetric specialization also showed significant evolutionary cortical expansion.
Conclusions:
- Hemispheric specialization, particularly within association cortices, facilitates domain-specific processing.
- Lateralized processing and minimized inter-hemispheric connectivity may be key adaptations for the expanded hominin brain.
Related Concept Videos
01:05Cerebral Hemispheres
3.6K
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...
3.6K
01:28Lateralization
1.3K
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.
1.3K
01:11Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II
4.9K
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...
4.9K
01:30Organization of the Brain
3.6K
The brain is an integral component of the nervous system and serves as the center for processing sensory inputs, making decisions, and directing bodily actions. This complex organ is organized into three primary sections: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, each responsible for a range of vital functions.
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...
3.6K
01:22Lobes of the Cerebrum
5.4K
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....
5.4K
01:26Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview I
5.7K
The main and largest component of the human brain is the cerebrum. The cerebrum consists of two main parts: the cerebral cortex, an outer layer with wrinkles or folds known as gyri and shallow grooves called sulci, and a deeper region beneath it. The cerebrum divides into two distinct hemispheres and contains five different lobes: the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and insula. The central sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes and two functionally important gyri — the...
5.7K