Primary motor cortex asymmetry is correlated with handedness in capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella).
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.
Phillips
Kimberley A
KA
Department of Psychology, Hiram College, Hiram, OH 44234, USA. phillipsk@hiram.edu
Sherwood
Chet C
CC
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002428:Cebus / Q000502:physiology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic