Sebastian Ocklenburg – Left – Right Asymmetries, Lateralized Brain Functions, and Individuality

While upon casual inspection the left and right sides of the human brain seem symmetrical. But it turns out there are left – right differences in both the structure and functionality of neuronal networks in many brain regions. One well-known example of a brain asymmetry is that regions involved in language comprehension and speech which are located in the left hemisphere. Another example concerns handedness for which neural circuits are more robust on the contralateral side of the brain. In this episode I talk with professor Sebastian Oklenburg about his research on lateralized brain functions including their evolutionary and developmental origins, their adaptive value, their roles in cognition and emotion, and how they are impacted in certain brain disorders. 

LINKS

Professor Ocklenburg’s blog on Psychology Today:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-asymmetric-brain

Brain lateralization – evolutionary perspective:

https://journals.physiology.org/doi/epdf/10.1152/physrev.00006.2019

 Brain asymmetries and neurological disorders:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8712556/pdf/fnsys-15-733898.pdf

Building an asymmetric brain:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6524718/pdf/fpsyg-10-00982.pdf