Primary motor cortex asymmetry is correlated with handedness in capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella)

Behav Neurosci. 2005 Dec;119(6):1701-4. doi: 10.1037/0735-7044.119.6.1701.

Abstract

Humans exhibit a population-wide tendency toward right-handedness, and structural asymmetries of the primary motor cortex are associated with hand preference. Reported are similar asymmetries correlated with hand preference in a New World monkey (Cebus apella) that does not display population-level handedness. Asymmetry of central sulcus depth is significantly different between left-handed and right-handed individuals as determined by a coordinated bimanual task. Left-handed individuals have a deeper central sulcus in the contralateral hemisphere; right-handed individuals have a more symmetrical central sulcus depth. Cerebral hemispheric specialization for hand preference is not uniquely human and may be more common among primates in general.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Brain Mapping
  • Cebus / physiology*
  • Functional Laterality / physiology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Motor Cortex / physiology*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Statistics as Topic