Functional brain organization, handedness, and immune vulnerability in musicians and non-musicians

Hassler, Marianne; Gupta, D.

doi:10.1016/0028-3932(93)90137-o

Cited by 39 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…An alternative explanation for increased callosal size could be an overrepresentation of 'anomalously' lateralized persons among musicians who play keyboard or string instruments (or both) requiring independent bimanual activity [6,16]. This might be of relevance because others have reported a larger CC in atypically lateralized individuals [14, 3 I, 42, 43].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased corpus callosum size in musicians

Jäncke²,

et al. 1995

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Al~tract--Using in-vivo magnetic resonance morphometry it was investigated wbetheT the midsagittal area of the corpus callosum (CC) would differ between 30 professional musicians and 30 age-, sex-and handedness-matched controls. Our analyses revealed that the anterior half of the CC was significantly larger in musicians. This difference was due to the larger anterior CC in the subgroup of musicians who had begun musical training before the age of 7. Since anatomic studies have provided evidence for a positive correlation between midsagittal callosal size and the number of fibers crossing through the CC, these data indicate a difference in interhemispheric communication and possibly in hemispheric (a)symmetry of sensorimotor areas. Our results are also compatible with plastic changes of components of the CC during a maturation period within the first decade of human life, similar to those observed in animal studies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased corpus callosum size in musicians

Jäncke²,

et al. 1995

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“…Again, this finding suggests atypical brain organization, because nonrighthandedness is a rough index of anomalous brain dominance (Annett, 1985;Geschwind & Galaburda, 1987).Third, studies have shown that mathematically and musically gifted individuals have a more bilateral, symmetrical brain organization than is usual, with the right hemisphere participating in tasks ordinarily reserved for the left hemisphere (Gordon, 1970(Gordon, , 1978(Gordon, , 1980Hassler & Birbaumer, 1988;O'Boyle, Gill, Benbow, & Alexander, 1994). Fourth, giftedness in spatial areas is accompanied by a disproportionate incidence of language-related learning disorders such as dyslexia, a finding reported for artists (Winner & Casey, 1993;Winner, Casey, DaSilva, & Hayes, 1991), inventors (Colangelo, Assouline, Kerr, Huesman, & Johnson, 1993), and musicians (Hassler, 1990), Finally, youths with very high IQs have an increased incidence of autoimmune problems (Benbow, 1986;Hildreth, 1966;Kolata, 1983;Temple, 1990); a link between immune disorders and giftedness in music has been suggested but not firmly established (Hassler & Birbaumer, 1988;McNamara, Flannery, Obler, & Schachter, 1994; but see Hassler & Gupta, 1993). In summary, giftedness in abilities that involve the right hemisphere may be associated with enhanced right-hemisphere development and hence with anomalous brain dominance.…”

Section: Ellen Winnermentioning

confidence: 99%

The origins and ends of giftedness.

Winner¹

2000

American Psychologist

202

110

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“…One such dimorphism may be seen in the expression of hand preferences (Geschwind & Behan, 1982;Geschwind & Galaburda, 1985;Hassler & Gupta, 1993). Geschwind and Galaburda (1985) have hypothesised that testosterone may slow growth within some areas of the left hemisphere and promote growth of certain areas in the right hemisphere.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

The 2nd:4th digit ratio and asymmetry of hand performance in Jamaican children

Manning¹,

Trivers²,

Thornhill³

et al. 2000

Laterality

143

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Testosterone, particularly prenatal testosterone, has been implicated in the aetiology of many extragenital sexually dimorphic traits. It is difficult to test directly for the effect of prenatal testosterone in humans. However, Manning, Scutt, Wilson, and Lewis-Jones (1998b) have recently shown that the ratio of the length of the 2nd and 4th digits (2D:4D) in right hands negatively predicts testosterone levels in men. As digit ratios are fixed in utero it may be that the 2D:4D ratio is associated with many prenatally determined sexually dimorphic traits. We tested this for one case by examining the relationship between lateralised hand performance (LHP), as measured by an Annett peg board, and 2D:4D ratio in rural Jamaican children. 2D:4D ratio was measured from photocopies and X rays of hands. A low 2D:4D ratio in the right hand of boys and girls (photocopies) and the right hand of boys only (X rays) was associated with a reduction in rightward performance asymmetry. In both samples the difference in 2D:4D ratio between the hands (2D:4D left hand-2D:4D right hand) showed the strongest relationship with LHP i.e. high ratio in the left and low in the right correlated with a tendency towards a fast performance with the left hand. It is suggested that the 2D:4D ratio may be associated with the expression of other sexually dimorphic behavioural traits.

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Functional brain organization, handedness, and immune vulnerability in musicians and non-musicians

Cited by 39 publications

References 13 publications

Increased corpus callosum size in musicians

Increased corpus callosum size in musicians

The origins and ends of giftedness.

The 2nd:4th digit ratio and asymmetry of hand performance in Jamaican children

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