Left hemispheric dominance of vestibular processing indicates lateralization of cortical functions in rats. 2014

Christoph Best, and Elena Lange, and Hans-Georg Buchholz, and Mathias Schreckenberger, and Stefan Reuss, and Marianne Dieterich
Department of Neurology, Vestibular Research Unit, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043, Marburg, Germany, bestc@uni-marburg.de.

Lateralization of cortical functions such as speech dominance, handedness and processing of vestibular information are present not only in humans but also in ontogenetic older species, e.g. rats. In human functional imaging studies, the processing of vestibular information was found to be correlated with the hemispherical dominance as determined by the handedness. It is located mainly within the right hemisphere in right handers and within the left hemisphere in left handers. Since dominance of vestibular processing is unknown in animals, our aim was to study the lateralization of cortical processing in a functional imaging study applying small-animal positron emission tomography (microPET) and galvanic vestibular stimulation in an in vivo rat model. The cortical and subcortical network processing vestibular information could be demonstrated and correlated with data from other animal studies. By calculating a lateralization index as well as flipped region of interest analyses, we found that the vestibular processing in rats follows a strong left hemispheric dominance independent from the "handedness" of the animals. These findings support the idea of an early hemispheric specialization of vestibular cortical functions in ontogenetic older species.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007839 Functional Laterality Behavioral manifestations of cerebral dominance in which there is preferential use and superior functioning of either the left or the right side, as in the preferred use of the right hand or right foot. Ambidexterity,Behavioral Laterality,Handedness,Laterality of Motor Control,Mirror Writing,Laterality, Behavioral,Laterality, Functional,Mirror Writings,Motor Control Laterality,Writing, Mirror,Writings, Mirror
D008297 Male Males
D009415 Nerve Net A meshlike structure composed of interconnecting nerve cells that are separated at the synaptic junction or joined to one another by cytoplasmic processes. In invertebrates, for example, the nerve net allows nerve impulses to spread over a wide area of the net because synapses can pass information in any direction. Neural Networks (Anatomic),Nerve Nets,Net, Nerve,Nets, Nerve,Network, Neural (Anatomic),Networks, Neural (Anatomic),Neural Network (Anatomic)
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D002540 Cerebral Cortex The thin layer of GRAY MATTER on the surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES that develops from the TELENCEPHALON and folds into gyri and sulci. It reaches its highest development in humans and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions. Allocortex,Archipallium,Cortex Cerebri,Cortical Plate,Paleocortex,Periallocortex,Allocortices,Archipalliums,Cerebral Cortices,Cortex Cerebrus,Cortex, Cerebral,Cortical Plates,Paleocortices,Periallocortices,Plate, Cortical
D004558 Electric Stimulation Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses. Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D000344 Afferent Pathways Nerve structures through which impulses are conducted from a peripheral part toward a nerve center. Afferent Pathway,Pathway, Afferent,Pathways, Afferent
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014725 Vestibular Nerve The vestibular part of the 8th cranial nerve (VESTIBULOCOCHLEAR NERVE). The vestibular nerve fibers arise from neurons of Scarpa's ganglion and project peripherally to vestibular hair cells and centrally to the VESTIBULAR NUCLEI of the BRAIN STEM. These fibers mediate the sense of balance and head position. Scarpa's Ganglion,Ganglion, Scarpa's,Nerve, Vestibular,Nerves, Vestibular,Scarpa Ganglion,Scarpas Ganglion,Vestibular Nerves
D017207 Rats, Sprague-Dawley A strain of albino rat used widely for experimental purposes because of its calmness and ease of handling. It was developed by the Sprague-Dawley Animal Company. Holtzman Rat,Rats, Holtzman,Sprague-Dawley Rat,Rats, Sprague Dawley,Holtzman Rats,Rat, Holtzman,Rat, Sprague-Dawley,Sprague Dawley Rat,Sprague Dawley Rats,Sprague-Dawley Rats

Related Publications

Christoph Best, and Elena Lange, and Hans-Georg Buchholz, and Mathias Schreckenberger, and Stefan Reuss, and Marianne Dieterich
March 2005, Behavioural brain research,
Christoph Best, and Elena Lange, and Hans-Georg Buchholz, and Mathias Schreckenberger, and Stefan Reuss, and Marianne Dieterich
January 1958, L'Encephale,
Christoph Best, and Elena Lange, and Hans-Georg Buchholz, and Mathias Schreckenberger, and Stefan Reuss, and Marianne Dieterich
June 2001, Journal of neurophysiology,
Christoph Best, and Elena Lange, and Hans-Georg Buchholz, and Mathias Schreckenberger, and Stefan Reuss, and Marianne Dieterich
November 2007, BMC biology,
Christoph Best, and Elena Lange, and Hans-Georg Buchholz, and Mathias Schreckenberger, and Stefan Reuss, and Marianne Dieterich
June 2018, The European journal of neuroscience,
Christoph Best, and Elena Lange, and Hans-Georg Buchholz, and Mathias Schreckenberger, and Stefan Reuss, and Marianne Dieterich
September 2000, Brain research. Cognitive brain research,
Christoph Best, and Elena Lange, and Hans-Georg Buchholz, and Mathias Schreckenberger, and Stefan Reuss, and Marianne Dieterich
May 1983, No shinkei geka. Neurological surgery,
Christoph Best, and Elena Lange, and Hans-Georg Buchholz, and Mathias Schreckenberger, and Stefan Reuss, and Marianne Dieterich
July 1986, Brain and cognition,
Christoph Best, and Elena Lange, and Hans-Georg Buchholz, and Mathias Schreckenberger, and Stefan Reuss, and Marianne Dieterich
July 2006, Neuroreport,
Christoph Best, and Elena Lange, and Hans-Georg Buchholz, and Mathias Schreckenberger, and Stefan Reuss, and Marianne Dieterich
July 1989, The International journal of neuroscience,
Copied contents to your clipboard!