Biomedical subjects

B A Vermeire

Publications and source records attributed to B A Vermeire.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1988

Complementary hemispheric specialization in monkeys.

Twenty-five split-brain monkeys were taught to discriminate two types of visual stimuli that engage lateralized cerebral processing in human subjects. Differential lateralization for the two kinds of discriminations was found; the left hemisphere was better at distinguishing between tilted lines and the right hemisphere was better at discriminating faces. These results indicate that lateralization of cognitive processing appeared in primates independently of language or handedness. In addition, cerebral lateralization in monkeys may provide an appropriate model for studying the biological basis of hemispheric specialization.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Hemispheric differences in split-brain monkeys viewing and responding to videotape recordings.

Eight split-brain monkeys were tested for hemispheric differences in their viewing of and responses to colored videotape recordings of monkeys, people, animals, and scenery. The number of facial expressions elicited from the right hemisphere was significantly greater than the number made when using the left hemisphere. Monkeys also tended to look longer when viewing with their right hemispheres than when viewing with the left.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Discrimination of monkey faces by split-brain monkeys.

Eighteen split-brain rhesus monkeys were tested with each hemisphere for the ability to learn to discriminate photographs of the faces of other monkeys. Seven subjects also ran tests of generalization to new photographs of the discriminated monkeys; these tests confirmed that facial features pertaining to individual monkeys were learned. Equal numbers of male and female monkeys and nearly equal numbers of right and left handed monkeys were tested. Over all the monkeys there was no significant advantage in learning with either the left or right hemisphere or with the hemisphere contralateral or ipsilateral to the preferred hand. The group of 9 female monkeys, however, did shown a significant advantage in learning with the left hemisphere. Furthermore, there was a tendency for monkeys older at the time of surgery to show greater hemispheric specialization.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Hemispheric differences in split-brain monkeys learning sequential comparisons.

Twelve split-brain rhesus monkeys were tested for differences in the abilities of their two cerebral hemispheres to learn discriminations based on the comparison of sequentially-presented visual stimuli. Overall there was no generalized advantage for either the left or right hemisphere. There was, however, a significant correlation between each monkey's handedness and the hemisphere that learned more readily; the more proficient hemisphere tended to be contralateral to the preoperatively preferred hand. This result raises the possibility that handedness in monkeys may be more closely related to cognitive processing than is usually believed.

Animals↗