ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONAL ASYMMETRY USING DIFFERENT METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES

ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONAL ASYMMETRY USING DIFFERENT METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES

Published in 2015, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, Issue August 2015 | No comments yet

Anisimova N.V.

Postgraduate student of the Department of Biology and Fundamentals of Medical Knowledge of the Chuvash State Pedagogical University named after I.Ya. Yakovleva, Cheboksary

ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONAL ASYMMETRY USING DIFFERENT METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES

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The purpose of this work is to assess functional asymmetry (FA) using N.N. Bragina and T.A. Dobrokhotova and the Edinburgh questionnaire. The study involved 37 schoolchildren aged 7 to 16 years. According to the results obtained using the methods of N.N. Bragina and T.A. Dobrokhotova to determine manual asymmetry, 30 schoolchildren are right-handed, 4 are left-handed and 3 are ambidextrous. According to the results of the Edinburgh testing, it was revealed that 31 schoolchildren have a leading right hand, 5 schoolchildren are left-handed and 1 is ambidextrous. The results of the correlation analysis show incomplete consistency between the indicators that determine physical activity using different methods.

Key words: functional asymmetry (FA), motor asymmetry, sensory asymmetry, asymmetry coefficient, “handedness”.

Anisimova NV

The graduate of department of biology and basic medical knowledge Chuvash state pedagogical university named by IY Yakovlev, Cheboksary

THE FUNCTIONAL ASYMMETRY ASSESSMENT BY DIFFERENT METHODS

Abstract

The purpose of this research is the functional asymmetry assessment by means of Edinburgh test and Bragina and Dobrohotova tests. Functional asymmetry research was held among 37 schoolchildren in age from 7 to 16. According to the results the padding block questions development by Bragina and Dobrohotova, 30 students are right-handed, 4 are left-handed and 3 are the ambidexters. , we have identified by the Edinburgh questionnaire, that 31 students have the leading right hand, 5 students are left-handed and 1 is the ambidexter. The results of correlation analysis show the partial coherence between FA indexes.

Keywords: functional asymmetry of brain, motor asymmetry, sensory asymmetry, index of asymmetry, handedness.

Relevance of the problem under study. The most important manifestations of FA are structural and functional differences between the left and right hemispheres of the human brain [8]. FA manifests itself in the form of pronounced specificity of information processing, reactivity and cognitive sphere in people with dominance of the right or left hemisphere [7]. To date, science has used two approaches to assess interhemispheric differences: the method of determining “handedness” through a survey (Edinburgh test) [11], and the method of actively identifying motor and sensory asymmetry by N.N. Bragina and T.A. Dobrokhotova [1]. The Edinburgh test is widely used in the world: it is used in the study of behavior [4], emotions [10] and as a preliminary test for selecting participants in neuroimaging studies [3]. Tests to determine the leading limbs and leading eye were used to assess the influence of brain lateralization on intelligence and mathematical abilities [9], to study the adaptive capabilities and physical development of boys and girls, as well as the formation of stress resistance of the body [2], [5]. It follows that both methods are widely represented in modern scientific literature, but we have not found any work that would evaluate the relationship between the results of testing functional asymmetry of the brain using the Edinburgh test and tests for determining motor and sensory asymmetry. Based on this, the purpose of our work is to assess functional asymmetry using N.N. Bragina and T.A. Dobrokhotova and the Edinburgh questionnaire.

Materials and research methods. The study involved schoolchildren from the Municipal Budgetary Educational Institution “Secondary School No. 31 with in-depth study of individual subjects” in Cheboksary, aged from 7 to 16 years, a total of 37 students. The average age was 12±0.4 years.

At the first stage of the study, schoolchildren answered questions from the Edinburgh test [11]. At the same time, their parents were responsible for children under 13 years of age. The Edinburgh questionnaire, adapted by us for schoolchildren, consists of fourteen questions about the preference for using the right or left hand when performing certain actions, such as writing, drawing, sewing, combing hair, brushing teeth, using a spoon or fork, etc. (Table 1).

Table 1 – Questionnaire for students

To determine manual and sensory asymmetry, N.N. tests were used. Bragina and T.A. Dobrokhotova [1].

Functional studies were carried out in the first half of the day, under conditions that meet the hygienic requirements for educational institutions [6]. The study complied with the ethical requirements set out in the Declaration of Helsinki.

The functional asymmetry coefficient was calculated based on answers to the Edinburgh questionnaire using formula (1):

Formula 1),

where H is the coefficient of functional asymmetry, X(i,R) and X(i,L) is the number of “+” signs in the “Right hand” and “Left hand” columns, respectively.

The coefficient of manual asymmetry (CMA) was determined according to formula (2):

formula (2),

where KMA is the coefficient of manual asymmetry, Nп is the number of actions performed by the right hand, Nт is the number of proposed tests.

The sensory asymmetry coefficient was calculated using formula (3):

formula (3),

where Nп is the number of actions performed by the right side of the body, Nт is the number of tests offered.

The total asymmetry is the sum of the KMA and SA coefficients (formula (4)).

formula (4),

where OA is general asymmetry, KMA is the coefficient of manual asymmetry, SA is sensory asymmetry.

Statistical processing of the study results was carried out using the Spearman correlation coefficient.

Research results and discussion. The frequency of occurrence of answer options for Edinburgh test questions is presented in table. 2.

Table 2 - Manual preferences revealed by the results of the Edinburgh test

As follows from the data given in Table 2, students perform most actions with their right hand.

Having analyzed the results obtained during testing using the Edinburgh questionnaire, we came to the conclusion that the majority of children who took part in the study have a pronounced predominance of the right hand: the average value of the asymmetry coefficient is 83.8%, the proportion of schoolchildren with a dominant right hand was 83.8%, with a preference for the left hand when writing and performing various types of work - 13.5%, using both hands with equal success - 2.7%. The distribution of the values ​​of the asymmetry coefficient calculated according to formula 1 is presented in Fig. 1.

Rice. 1 – Individual profiles of “handedness” based on answers to questions in the Edinburgh questionnaire (from left to right – X(i,R), X(i,L), H).

In the course of analyzing tests for motor asymmetry, we found that the majority of students perform tasks with their right hand (83.8% of cases), and the left hand was dominant in only 13.5%. In the course of analyzing the results of tests to identify sensory asymmetry, we found that for the majority of students the leading eye is the right eye (59.5%), and the left is only for 40.5% of students, in 81.1% of cases the leading ear is right.

Based on the coefficient of manual asymmetry, we determined that two children (5.4%) had almost complete left-handedness, the other two schoolchildren had strong left-handedness. The number of ambidextrous people was 3 (8.11%), and the proportion of children who had pronounced right-handedness was 9 (24.32%). In terms of manual asymmetry, the majority of schoolchildren we examined (21 or 56.76%) were strongly right-handed, although we did not find any schoolchildren who performed all tests with their right hand and had a dominant right leg.

The severity of sensory asymmetry was 32.97%. The left sensory fields were dominant in 8 (21.61%) children. The predominance of sensory flows on the right was noted in 29 (77.92%) schoolchildren.

The average value of complete asymmetry was 42.48%: 2 (5.4%) schoolchildren with almost complete left-handedness, 2 (5.4%) with strong left-handedness, 2 (5.4%) ambidextrous, 9 (24.32%) with pronounced right-handedness and 22 (59.46%) with strong right-handedness.

The main objective of our work is to study the relationship between the results of testing functional asymmetry of the brain using various methods by calculating the Spearman correlation coefficient.

The results of the analysis of the relationship between the H coefficient of the Edinburgh questionnaire, on the one hand, and the coefficients of motor and sensory asymmetry according to the method of N.N. Bragina and T.A. Dobrokhotova are presented in Fig. 2.

Rice. 2 – Correlation connections between the coefficient N and the coefficient of motor asymmetry (A), the coefficient of sensory asymmetry (B)

From the data in Figure 2 it follows that there is a statistically significant correlation between the H coefficient and the motor asymmetry coefficient (R = 0.58; P <0.05); We did not find such a connection in the case of sensory asymmetry (R=0.18, P>0.05). This indicates that the results of testing using the Edinburgh questionnaire are not sufficient to obtain a complete picture of functional asymmetry of the brain.

Summary.

The data we obtained indicate left hemisphere dominance in schoolchildren, both according to the results of a study using the methods of Bragina and Dobrokhotova, and according to the results of the Edinburgh questionnaire. Although the coefficient of manual asymmetry and the coefficient of handedness are related to each other, the dominance of the right hand, revealed by the results of answers to questions, and the nature of sensory asymmetry are not consistent with each other. In addition, we noted individual cases of discrepancy between answers to the questionnaire and real preference for the right and left hands. Based on this, we consider it necessary to conduct additional research to improve the Edinburgh questionnaire.

Literature

1. Bragina, N. N. Functional asymmetries of man / N. N. Bragina, T. A. Dobrokhotova. – 2nd ed. reworked and additional – M.: Medicine, 1988. – 237 p.
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10. Aaron A. et al. Reward, motivation, and emotion systems associated with early-stage intense romantic love // ​​Journal of neurophysiology. – 2005. – T. 94. – No. 1. – pp. 327–337.
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References

1. Bragina, NN Funkcional'nye asimmetrii cheloveka / NN Bragina, TA Dobrohotova. – 2nd ed. pererab. i dop. – M.: Medicina, 1988. – 237 s.
2. Lisova NA i dr. Rol' aktivacionnyh processov kory golovnogo mozga v formirovanii sressoustojchivosti u studentok s razlichnymi temperamental'nymi harakteristikami //Sibirskij vestnik special'nogo obrazovanija. – 2015. – No. 2(15). – S. 52-57.
3. Mihajlov, IV Znachenie funkcional'noj asimmetrii pri obuchenii slozhnym celenapravlennym bimanual'nym ​​dvizhenijam / IV Mihajlov, PV Tkachenko // Sovremennye naukoemkie tehnologii. – 2009. – No. 9. – S. 59–
4. Pankova NB, Romanov SV Dinamika v uchebnom godu povedencheskih projavlenij i kolichestvennyh pokazatelej funkcional'noj mezhpolusharnoj asimmetrii u uchashhihsja // Nauchnye perspektivy XXI veka. Dostizhenija i perspektivy novogo stoletija // III Mezhdunarodnaja scientific-prakticheskaja konferencija, Novosibirsk, 15–16 August 2014. - No. 3. Chast' 5. – Novosibirsk: Mezhdunarodnyj Nauchnyj Institut “Educatio”, 2014. – S. 38–42.
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FUNCTIONAL ASYMMETRY OF THE HEMISPHERES OF THE BRAIN

Introduction

Among the numerous functions performed by the brain, a very important place is occupied by the implementation of higher mental activity, which in humans has reached a particularly high level of development. Information entering the projection zones of the cerebral cortex, its specific processing and the formation of sensations lead to the formation of more complex categories - concepts - in the associative zones, based on their analysis and synthesis, as well as comparison with previous life experience extracted from the annals of memory. and ideas necessary to comprehend reality and form an adequate understanding of the situation and carry out thought processes.

Innate abilities, play and work skills, and accumulated life experience ensure the formation of higher mental functions (HMF), manifested, in particular, by a high level of cognitive abilities and the ability to perform complex motor acts, i.e. to the development of gnosis (from the Greek gnosis - knowledge, recognition, objective perception) and praxis (from the Greek praxis - action).

The improvement of gnosis and praxis has led to the possibility of forming in humans a new stage in the development of mental activity - speech. Speech and language contributed to the development of abstract thinking - the highest achievement of nature, which contributed to the fact that a person who mastered speech was able to achieve an exceptional position among living beings inhabiting the Earth.

FUNCTIONAL ASYMMETRY OF THE HEMISPHERES OF THE BRAIN

A great contribution to the development of the problem of interhemispheric asymmetry was made by a group of neuropsychologists led by A.R. Luria (1902-1977), who worked at the Research Institute of Neurosurgery named after. N.N. Burdenko in the 50-70s.

The functional asymmetry of the left and right hemispheres can be considered as an evolutionary acquisition, reflecting the exceptionally high level of functional differentiation of his brain achieved by man. According to one hypothesis, with the appearance of the rudiments of abstract thinking and speech in the distant ancestors of modern man, these functions were taken over by the left hemisphere . In this regard, the right hand, associated with the left hemisphere, gradually became more active and at the same time stronger and more dexterous. Abstract thinking and speech, being interdependent, gradually improved and became increasingly important for humans.

In the right hemisphere, the functions of concrete thinking, perception and differentiation of non-speech sounds and music were further developed. There is an opinion that the right hemisphere has advantages in ensuring self-awareness, in orientation in external space, in recognizing people by individual facial features, voice, and in constructing objective actions.

In the formation of functional asymmetry of the cortical fields of the cerebrum during the process of ontogenesis and subsequent development of the child, heredity plays an important role. It is recognized that in some people, usually left-handed people, a peculiar rotation of mental functions is possible and then the right hemisphere may become dominant. However, in left-handers, in most cases, the asymmetry of the hemispheres is not as pronounced as in right-handers, and there is often a convergence of the functional capabilities of the right and left hands, and in this case they speak of ambidexterity.

In 1981 N.N. Bragin and T.A. Dobrokhotova proposed a classification of functional asymmetries. The disparity in the motor activity of the right and left halves of the body is considered as motor asymmetry. Inequality in the perception of objects located to the right and left of the sagittal plane of the body is referred to as sensory asymmetry. Finally, the specialization of the right and left hemispheres of the brain in the implementation of various forms of mental activity is recognized as an asymmetry of mental functions.

During the development of the HMF, one of the hemispheres, called the dominant (usually the left), specializes in providing abstract thinking and speech - functions that are unique to humans.

Table. Interhemispheric asymmetry

Some modern psychologists and physiologists (Batuev A.B., 1991, etc.) believe that a person with a predominance of left-hemisphere functions gravitates toward theory, has a larger vocabulary and actively uses it, he is characterized by vital activity, determination, and the ability to predict events. A “right-hemisphere” person gravitates toward specific types of activity; he is slow and taciturn, but endowed with the ability to subtly feel and experience and is prone to contemplation and memories. Normally, most people are characterized by a duality of these extreme manifestations of behavior and psyche.

There is an opinion (Kostandov E.A., 1983) that in a healthy person there is complementary cooperation of both hemispheres and the advantage of the function of one of them manifests itself only at a certain stage of one or another type of neuropsychic activity. It is noted that, apparently, the right hemisphere processes incoming information faster than the left. Visual-spatial analysis of stimuli is first carried out in the right hemisphere, and then transferred to the left, where the final higher, semantic analysis and awareness of the nature of these stimuli occurs.