title: Memory-related brain lateralisation in birds and humans.
abstract: Visual imprinting in chicks and song learning in songbirds are prominent model systems for the study of the neural mechanisms of memory. In both systems, neural lateralisation has been found to be involved in memory formation. Although many processes in the human brain are lateralised--spatial memory and musical processing involves mostly right hemisphere dominance, whilst language is mostly left hemisphere dominant--it is unclear what the function of lateralisation is. It might enhance brain capacity, make processing more efficient, or prevent occurrence of conflicting signals. In both avian paradigms we find memory-related lateralisation. We will discuss avian lateralisation findings and propose that birds provide a strong model for studying neural mechanisms of memory-related lateralisation.
authors.affiliation: Cognitive Neurobiology and Helmholtz Institute, Departments of Biology and Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Sanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moorman
authors.affiliation: Sub-Department of Animal Behaviour, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK. Electronic address: aun10@cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Alister U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Nicol
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002645:Chickens; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007173:Imprinting, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D020308:Songbirds; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Auditory-vocal learning; Avian brain; Domestic chick; Hemispheric dominance; Human language lateralisation; Imprinting; Lateralisation; Learning; Memory; Memory consolidation; Memory formation; Sensory learning; Song learning; Songbirds