scholarly journals Maternal cradling bias drives early handedness in infant monkeys: A longitudinal study of grasping lateralization in baboons

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grégoire Boulinguez-Ambroise ◽  
Emmanuelle Pouydebat ◽  
Éloïse Disarbois ◽  
Adrien Meguerditchian
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Hand Preference ◽  
List Type ◽  
Papio Anubis ◽  
Left Handedness ◽  
Previous Published Study ◽  
Hand Preferences ◽  
Side Bias

AbstractThe most emblematic behavioral manifestation of human brain asymmetries is handedness. While the precise mechanisms behind the development of handedness are still widely debated, empirical evidences highlight that besides genetic factors, environmental factors may play a crucial role. As one of these factors, maternal cradling behavior may play a key role in the emergence of early handedness in the offspring. In the present study we followed 41 olive baboon (Papio anubis) infants living in different social groups with their mother for which direction (e.g., left- or right-arm) and degree of maternal cradling-side bias were available from our previous published study. We assessed hand preferences for an unimanual grasping task at 3 developmental stages: (1) 0-4, (2) 4-6 and (3) 9-10 months of age. We found that individual hand preferences for grasping exist as soon as the first months of age, with a population-level left-handedness predominance, being stable until 6 months; to wit the period during which juveniles are mainly carried by their mothers. More importantly, this early postnatal handedness is positively correlated with maternal cradling lateralization. Interestingly, hand preferences assessed later in the development, once juveniles are no longer carried (i.e., from 9 to 10 months of age), are less consistent with the earlier developmental stages and no longer dependent from the maternal cradling bias. Our findings suggest that the ontogenetic dynamics of the infant’s hand preference and its changes might ultimately rely on the degree of infant dependence from the mother across development.Research HighlightsEarly postnatal individual hand preferences are detected for unimanual food grasping within the first four months of age.Earliest measures of infant hand preference are positively correlated with measures of maternal cradling lateralization.Hand preferences assessed later in the development, from 9 to 10 months of age are less consistent with the earlier developmental stages and independent from maternal cradling bias.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Heritability of Handedness in a Hong Kong Chinese Twin and Singleton Sample

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mo Zheng ◽  
Catherine McBride ◽  
Connie Suk-Han Ho ◽  
Jonathan Ka-Chun Chan ◽  
Kwong Wai Choy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Reference Data ◽  
Hand Preference ◽  
Hong Kong Chinese ◽  
Left Handedness ◽  
Left Handed ◽  
Chinese School ◽  
Heritability Analysis ◽  
Definition Of

Left-Handedness prevalence has been consistently reported at around 10% with heritability estimates at around 25%. Higher left-handedness prevalence has been reported in males and in twins. Lower prevalence has been reported in Asia, but it remains unclear whether this is due to biological or cultural factors. Most studies are based on samples with European ethnicities and using the preferred hand for writing as the key assessment. Here, we investigated handedness in a sample of Chinese school children in Hong Kong, including 426 singletons and 205 pairs of twins, using both the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory and Pegboard Task. Based on a binary definition of writing hand, we found a higher prevalence of left-handedness (8%) than what was previously reported in Asian datasets. We found no evidence of increased left-handedness in twins, but our results were in line with previous findings showing that males have a higher tendency to be left-handed than females. Heritability was similar for both hand preference (21%) and laterality indexes (22%). However, these two handedness measures present only a moderate correlation (.42) and appear to be underpinned by different genetic factors. In summary, we report new reference data for an ethnic group usually underrepresented in the literature. Our heritability analysis supports the idea that different measures will capture different components of handedness and, as a consequence, datasets assessed with heterogeneous criteria are not easily combined or compared.

scholarly journals The evolution and biological correlates of hand preferences in anthropoid primates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai R Caspar ◽  
Fabian Pallasdies ◽  
Larissa Mader ◽  
Heitor Sartorelli ◽  
Sabine Begall
Keyword(s):  
Brain Size ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Hand Preference ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Preference Strength ◽  
Anthropoid Primates ◽  
Hand Preferences

The evolution of human right-handedness has been intensively debated for decades. Manual lateralization patterns in non-human primates have the potential to elucidate evolutionary determinants of human handedness. However, restricted species samples and inconsistent methodologies are limiting comparative phylogenetic studies. By combining original data with published literature reports, we assembled data on hand preferences for standardized object manipulation in 1,806 individuals from 38 species of anthropoid primates, including monkeys, apes, and humans. Based on that, we employ quantitative phylogenetic methods to test prevalent hypotheses on the roles of ecology, brain size and tool use in primate handedness evolution. We confirm that human right-handedness represents an unparalleled extreme among anthropoids and found taxa displaying significant population-level handedness to be notably rare. Species-level direction of manual lateralization was largely uniform among non-human primates and neither correlated with phylogeny nor with any of the selected biological predictors. In contrast, we recovered highly variable patterns of hand preference strength, which show signatures of both ecology and phylogeny. In particular, terrestrial primates tend to display weaker hand preferences than arboreal species. These results challenge popular ideas on primate handedness evolution, especially the postural origins hypothesis. Furthermore, they point to a potential adaptive benefit of disparate lateralization strength in primates, a measure of hand preference that has often been overlooked in the past. Finally, our data show that human lateralization patterns do not align with trends found among other anthropoids, suggesting that unique selective pressures gave rise to the unusual hand preferences displayed by our species.

scholarly journals Handedness for tool use in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): sex differences, performance, heritability and comparison to the wild

Behaviour ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 146 (11) ◽  
pp. 1463-1483 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
◽  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Pan Troglodytes ◽  
Tool Use ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Left Handedness ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Hand Preferences

AbstractThere is continued debate over the factors influencing handedness in captive and wild primates, notably chimpanzees. Previous studies in wild chimpanzees have revealed population-level left-handedness for termite fishing. Here we examined hand preferences and performance on a tool use task designed to simulate termite fishing in a sample of 190 captive chimpanzees to evaluate whether patterns of hand use in captive chimpanzees differed from those observed for wild apes. No population-level handedness was found for this task; however, significant sex differences in preference and performance were found, with males showing greater left-handedness and poorer performance compared to females. We also found that the hand preferences of offspring were significantly positively correlated with the hand preferences of their mothers. Lastly, older females performed more slowly on the task compared to younger individuals. The overall results neither confirm nor reject previous hypotheses claiming that raising chimpanzees in captivity induces right-handedness, but rather suggest that other factors may account for differences in hand preferences for tool use seen in wild and captive chimpanzees.

Mixed-Handedness in Patients with Functional Psychosis

1996 ◽  
Vol 168 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. Malesu ◽  
M. Cannon ◽  
P. B. Jones ◽  
K. McKenzie ◽  
K. Gilvarry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Preference ◽  
Significant Excess ◽  
Psychotic Illness ◽  
Affective Psychosis ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Left Handedness ◽  
Functional Psychosis ◽  
Preference Patterns ◽  
And Control ◽  
Hand Preferences

BackgroundAn excess of non-right-handedness has been shown among patients with schizophrenia. However it is not clear whether this finding can be accounted for by an increase in left-handedness, mixed-handedness or both. It is not known whether atypical patterns of hand preferences occur in other functional psychotic illnesses.MethodThe Annett hand preference questionnaire was administered to patients with schizophrenia (n=120); affective psychosis (n=55); schizoaffective psychosis (n=41), and control subjects (n=86). Handedness was classified into three categories: right, mixed and left-handedness.ResultsThe hand preference patterns of patients with functional psychotic illnesses were not significantly different from controls. Patients with schizophrenia showed a non-significant excess of mixed-handedness compared with controls. Patients with schizophrenia and affective psychosis showed a non-significant decrease in left-handedness compared with controls.ConclusionsAlthough our results showed a trend in the hypothesised direction, we failed to demonstrate that patients with psychotic illness differed from controls on self-reported hand preference patterns.

scholarly journals Hand and paw preferences in relation to the lateralized brain

2008 ◽  
Vol 364 (1519) ◽  
pp. 943-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley J Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Brain Structure ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Hand Preference ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Brain Lateralization ◽  
Broad Perspective ◽  
Left Handed ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Hand Preferences

Hand preferences of primates are discussed as part of the broad perspective of brain lateralization in animals, and compared with paw preferences in non-primates. Previously, it has been suggested that primates are more likely to express a species-typical hand preference on complex tasks, especially in the case of coordinated hand use in using tools. I suggest that population-level hand preferences are manifested when the task demands the obligate use of the processing specialization of one hemisphere, and that this depends on the nature of the task rather than its complexity per se . Depending on the species, simple reaching tasks may not demand the obligate use of a specialized hemisphere and so do not constrain limb/hand use. In such cases, individuals may show hand preferences that are associated with consistent differences in behaviour. The individual's hand preference is associated with the expression of behaviour controlled by the hemisphere contralateral to the preferred hand (fear and reactivity in left-handed individuals versus proactivity in right-handed individuals). Recent findings of differences in brain structure between left- and right-handed primates (e.g. somatosensory cortex in marmosets) have been discussed and related to potential evolutionary advances.

Handedness in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S214-S214 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Kobylinska ◽  
C.G. Anghel ◽  
I. Mihailescu ◽  
F. Rad ◽  
I. Dobrescu
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Hand Preference ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Left Handedness ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Hand Laterality ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Competing Interest

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have a less definitive hand preference for certain actions as opposed to neurotypical children. Moreover, left-handedness in children with ASD has been associated with more echolalia. The objective was to conduct a screening of potential risk and associated features for autism spectrum disorders, among which the hand preference of the child. The current aim is to compare the perceived handedness of children with autism spectrum disorders with that of children with other psychiatric pathologies.MethodsEight hundred and forty-two parents completed our risk and associated features screening questionnaire. Out of these, 494 answered the question regarding handedness (209 had children diagnosed with ASD). This asked the parents to state how they perceived their child's handedness. An ADOS assessment has been conducted for 170 of the children whose parents were included in the study, based on clinical relevance for the case. The data were analysed using Excel and SPSS 22.0. For the comparisons, Chi2 and the Kruskal–Wallis test were used.ResultsChildren with ASD had more left-handedness (χ2(2) = 12.54, P = 0.002). There were no differences between boys and girls in terms of perceived handedness in any of the groups. There were no differences in the ADOS scores according to the perceived hand laterality (χ2(2) = 0.58, P = 0.74).ConclusionRightward-asymmetry in regions of corpus callosum has been reported to correlate with symptoms severity in ASD. The finding of different perceived handedness in children with ASD versus children with other psychiatric pathologies is useful for designing appropriate, individualized training programs for motor therapy.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Aetiological factors in left-handedness

2005 ◽  
Vol 133 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 532-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanja Milenkovic ◽  
Goran Belojevic ◽  
Radojka Kocijancic
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Factors ◽  
The Body ◽  
Intrauterine Environment ◽  
Foetal Development ◽  
Ultrasound Exposure ◽  
The Past ◽  
Left Handedness ◽  
Left Handed ◽  
Efferent Pathways ◽  
Genetically Determined

Lateralisation associates the extremities and senses of one side of the body, which are connected by afferent and efferent pathways, with the primary motor and sensory areas of the hemisphere on the opposite side. Dominant laterality denotes the appearance of a dominant extremity or sense in the performance of complex psychomotor activities. Laterality is manifested both as right-handedness or left-handedness, which are functionally equivalent and symmetrical in the performance of activities. Right-handedness is significantly more common than left-handedness. Genetic theory is most widely accepted in explaining the onset of lateralisation. According to this theory, the models of brain organisation asymmetry (anatomical, functional, and biochemical) are strongly, genetically determined. However, the inability to clearly demonstrate the association between genetic factors and left-handedness has led researchers to investigate the effects of the environment on left-handedness. Of particular interest are the intrauterine environment and the factors influencing foetal development, of which hormones and ultrasound exposure are the most significant. It has been estimated that an extra five cases of nonright-handed lateralisation can be expected in every 100 males who were exposed to ultrasound in utero compared to those who were not. Socio-cultural pressure on left-handed individuals was much more severe in the past, which is confirmed by scientific findings that left-handedness is present in 13% of individuals in their twenties, while in less than 1% of individuals in their eighties.

Nutrition and Nutraceuticals in Neuroinflammatory and Brain Metabolic Stress: Implications for Neurodegenerative Disorders

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 680-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D. Pandareesh ◽  
Hemanth Kumar Kandikattu ◽  
Sakina Razack ◽  
Narayanappa Amruta ◽  
Ramesh Choudhari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Nutritional Factors ◽  
Effective Manner

Background and Objective: A steep rise in the incidences of neurodegenerative disorders could be the combined effect of several non-genetic factors such as increased life expectancy, environmental pollutants, lifestyle, and dietary habits, as population-level genetic change require multiple generations. Emerging evidence suggests that chronic over-nutrition induces brain metabolic stress and neuroinflammation, and are individually known to promote neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Huntington’s disease (HD). Although the association of metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis with the dietary habits is well known, neuronal implications of diet and nutritional factors is still in its infancy. Transcriptomics and proteomics-based studies support the view that nutraceuticals target multiple neuroprotective pathways in a slow but effective manner without causing severe adverse effects, and may represent the future of tackling neurodegenerative disorders. Conclusion: In this article we i) review the diet/dietary supplement connection with brain metabolic stress and neuroinflammation and ii) summarize current knowledge of the effects of nutraceuticals on neurodegenerative disorders.

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