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Asymmetry of parietal interhemispheric connections in humans
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 15:58 authored by Giacomo Koch, Mara Cercignani, Sonia Bonnì, Viola Giacobbe, Giulia Bucchi, Viviana Versace, Carlo Caltagirone, Marco BozzaliVisuospatial abilities are preferentially mediated by the right hemisphere. Although this asymmetry of function is thought to be due to an unbalanced interaction between cerebral hemispheres, the underlying neurophysiological substrate is still largely unknown. Here, using a method of trifocal transcranial magnetic stimulation, we show that the right, but not left, human posterior parietal cortex exerts a strong inhibitory activity over the contralateral homologous area by a short-latency connection. We also clarify, using diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging, that such an interaction is mediated by direct transcallosal projections located in the posterior corpus callosum. We argue that this anatomo-functional network may represent a possible neurophysiological basis for the ongoing functional asymmetry between parietal cortices, and that its damage could contribute to the clinical manifestations of neglect.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Journal of NeuroscienceISSN
1529-2401Publisher
Society for NeurosciencePublisher URL
External DOI
Issue
24Volume
31Page range
8967-8975Department affiliated with
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes