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Symmetry
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Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain
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Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain

A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Life Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2021) | Viewed by 34715

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Vilfredo De Pascalis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, La Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
Interests: personality; individual traits; hypnotizability; hypnosis; cognitive control of pain; EEG
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite the superficial appearance of symmetry of the right and left hemispheres, the human brain is functionally asymmetrical. Capacity in cognitive processing is enhanced by the lateralization of brain functions. It is notable that vertebrates and humans, apart from language, share a fundamental pattern of lateralization, including a variety of functions as attention, learning, memory, social behavior, and face processing. Research in humans has also shown that the level of functional brain asymmetry may depend on a number of factors, including gender, individual differences in dispositional approach and avoidance behavior, optimism, and social interaction factors. For example, EEG research has reported a greater left- than right-frontal activation at rest in approach-oriented individuals, whereas higher levels in anxiety/behavioral inhibition have been associated with greater right- than left-frontal activation.

Research reports on hemispheric asymmetry and its modulation by individual differences in affective tendencies and situational context will be well accepted for this Special Issue of Symmetry. Furthermore, papers including electrophysiology, neuroimaging, and biochemical estimations of brain asymmetry will be particularly relevant. Reports on hemispheric asymmetry in psychopathology are also accepted, and so will reviews and theoretical debates of the lateralization of hemispheric functions.

Prof. Vilfredo De Pascalis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • functional brain asymmetry
  • behavior
  • electrophysiology
  • neuroimaging
  • individual differences
  • personality traits
  • social interaction
  • psychopathology
  • genetic expression
  • hormonal influences

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 182 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue of Symmetry: “Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain”
by Vilfredo De Pascalis
Symmetry 2022, 14(8), 1531; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym14081531 - 26 Jul 2022
Viewed by 1641
Abstract
The study of brain asymmetry in humans represents a long-standing topic in the biobehavioral sciences and remains an attractive research domain with many potential applications [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain)

Research

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16 pages, 27847 KiB  
Article
EEG and fMRI Correlates of Insight: A Pilot Study
by Gennady G. Knyazev, Vadim L. Ushakov, Vyacheslav A. Orlov, Denis G. Malakhov, Sergey I. Kartashov, Alexander N. Savostyanov, Andrey V. Bocharov and Boris M. Velichkovsky
Symmetry 2021, 13(2), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13020330 - 17 Feb 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3776
Abstract
Insight is described as the sudden solution of a problem and is contrasted with an analytical, step-by-step approach. Traditionally, insight is thought to be associated with activity of the right hemisphere, whereas analytical solutions are thought to be associated with activity of the [...] Read more.
Insight is described as the sudden solution of a problem and is contrasted with an analytical, step-by-step approach. Traditionally, insight is thought to be associated with activity of the right hemisphere, whereas analytical solutions are thought to be associated with activity of the left hemisphere. However, empirical evidence as to the localization of insight-related brain activity is mixed and inconclusive. Some studies seem to confirm the traditional view, whereas others do not. Moreover, results of EEG and fMRI studies frequently contradict each other. In this study, EEG and fMRI data were recorded while subjects performed the remote association test and for each solved problem were asked to report whether the solution was reached analytically or insightfully. The data were analyzed in a 16-second fragment preceding the subject’s response. Source localization techniques were used in the analysis of EEG data. Based on EEG data, insightful as compared to analytical problem solving was accompanied by high-frequency synchronization in semantic cortical areas of the left hemisphere 10–12 s before the subject’s response. Based on fMRI data, however, insightful solutions were accompanied by increased activity in frontal and temporal regions of the right hemisphere. The results are interpreted in terms of different cognitive processes involved in insightful problem solving, which could be differently reflected in EEG and fMRI data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain)
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14 pages, 3857 KiB  
Article
Hemispheric Asymmetry in Visual Processing: An ERP Study on Spatial Frequency Gratings
by Alice Mado Proverbio and Alberto Zani
Symmetry 2021, 13(2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13020180 - 23 Jan 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2589
Abstract
A hemispheric asymmetry for the processing of global versus local visual information is known. In this study, we investigated the existence of a hemispheric asymmetry for the visual processing of low versus high spatial frequency gratings. The event-related potentials were recorded in a [...] Read more.
A hemispheric asymmetry for the processing of global versus local visual information is known. In this study, we investigated the existence of a hemispheric asymmetry for the visual processing of low versus high spatial frequency gratings. The event-related potentials were recorded in a group of healthy right-handed volunteers from 30 scalp sites. Six types of stimuli (1.5, 3 and 6 c/deg gratings) were randomly flashed 180 times in the left and right upper hemifields. The stimulus duration was 80 ms, and the interstimulus interval (ISI) ranged between 850 and 1000 ms. Participants paid attention and responded to targets based on their spatial frequency and location. The C1 and P1 visual responses, as well as a later selection negativity and a P300 component of event-related potentials (ERPs), were quantified and subjected to repeated-measure analyses of variance (ANOVAs). Overall, the performance was faster for the right visual field (RVF), thus suggesting a left hemispheric advantage for the attentional selection of local elements. Similarly, the analysis of the mean area amplitude of the C1 (60–110 ms) sensory response showed a stronger attentional effect (F+L+ vs. F−L+) at the left occipital areas, thus suggesting the sensory nature of this hemispheric asymmetry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain)
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14 pages, 2645 KiB  
Article
Complex Time-Dependent ERP Hemispheric Asymmetries during Word Matching in Phonological, Semantic and Orthographical Matching Judgment Tasks
by Chiara Spironelli and Alessandro Angrilli
Symmetry 2021, 13(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13010074 - 3 Jan 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2044
Abstract
Language-induced asymmetry to single word reading has been well investigated in past research. Less known are the complex processes and related asymmetries occurring when a word is compared with the previous one, according to specific tasks. To this end, we used a paradigm [...] Read more.
Language-induced asymmetry to single word reading has been well investigated in past research. Less known are the complex processes and related asymmetries occurring when a word is compared with the previous one, according to specific tasks. To this end, we used a paradigm based on 80 sequential word pair comparisons and three blocked tasks: phonological, semantic and orthographical matching judgment. Participants had to decide whether the target word (W2) did or did not match the prime word (W1), presented 2 sec before, according to the task. The event-related potentials (ERPs) evoked by W2 in 20 participants have been analyzed. The first negative wave, the Recognition Potential (RP), peaking at about 120 ms over parietal sites, showed greater amplitude at left sites in all tasks, thus revealing the typical left-lateralization. At frontal sites, only the phonological task showed left lateralization. The following N400 (300–450 ms) showed an interesting interaction: Match trials elicited greater left asymmetry on frontal regions to phonological than to semantic than to visual-perceptual tasks, whereas mismatch trials induced an inverted asymmetry, marked by greater amplitude over right frontal sites, regardless of the task. Concerning the late N400 (450–600 ms), phonological and semantic tasks showed an overlapping pattern, with left lateralization in match and right lateralization in mismatch conditions. Results point to complex task- and time-dependent hemispheric asymmetries in word matching. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain)
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25 pages, 3374 KiB  
Article
Major Depression and Brain Asymmetry in a Decision-Making Task with Negative and Positive Feedback
by Almira Kustubayeva, Altyngul Kamzanova, Sandugash Kudaibergenova, Veronika Pivkina and Gerald Matthews
Symmetry 2020, 12(12), 2118; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym12122118 - 21 Dec 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5249
Abstract
Depressed patients are characterized by hypoactivity of the left and hyperactivity of the right frontal areas during the resting state. Depression is also associated with impaired decision-making, which reflects multiple cognitive, affective, and attentional processes, some of which may be lateralized. The aim [...] Read more.
Depressed patients are characterized by hypoactivity of the left and hyperactivity of the right frontal areas during the resting state. Depression is also associated with impaired decision-making, which reflects multiple cognitive, affective, and attentional processes, some of which may be lateralized. The aim of this study was to investigate brain asymmetry during a decision-making task performed in negative and positive feedback conditions in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in comparison to healthy control participants. The electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from 60 MDD patients and 60 healthy participants while performing a multi-stage decision-making task. Frontal, central, and parietal alpha asymmetry were analyzed with EEGlab/ERPlab software. Evoked potential responses (ERPs) showed general lateralization suggestive of an initial right dominance developing into a more complex pattern of asymmetry across different scalp areas as information was processed. The MDD group showed impaired mood prior to performance, and decreased confidence during performance in comparison to the control group. The resting state frontal alpha asymmetry showed lateralization in the healthy group only. Task-induced alpha power and ERP P100 and P300 amplitudes were more informative biomarkers of depression during decision making. Asymmetry coefficients based on task alpha power and ERP amplitudes showed consistency in the dynamical changes during the decision-making stages. Depression was characterized by a lack of left dominance during the resting state and left hypoactivity during the task baseline and subsequent decision-making process. Findings add to understanding of the functional significance of lateralized brain processes in depression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain)
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20 pages, 1058 KiB  
Article
Resting EEG Asymmetry Markers of Multiple Facets of the Behavioral Approach System: A LORETA Analysis
by Vilfredo De Pascalis, Giuliana Cirillo and Arianna Vecchio
Symmetry 2020, 12(11), 1794; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym12111794 - 30 Oct 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2898
Abstract
Previously published models of frontal activity linked high relative left frontal activity to the behavioral approach system (BAS) and impulsivity. Additionally, these models did not account for BAS facets encompassing the anticipation of reward, i.e., goal-driven persistence (BAS–GDP) and reward interest (BAS–RI), from [...] Read more.
Previously published models of frontal activity linked high relative left frontal activity to the behavioral approach system (BAS) and impulsivity. Additionally, these models did not account for BAS facets encompassing the anticipation of reward, i.e., goal-driven persistence (BAS–GDP) and reward interest (BAS–RI), from those that deal with the actual hedonic experience of reward, i.e., reward reactivity (BAS–RR) and impulsivity (BAS–I). Using resting electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, the source localization (LORETA) method allowed us to calculate the hemispheric asymmetry of the current density within the alpha band (7.5–13 Hz) in ten regions of interest. Compared to low BAS subtrait scorers, high BAS subtrait scorers (except for BAS–I) were correlated with greater relative left-sided activity in the superior frontal gyrus (BA10). Further, an isolated effective coherence (iCOH) analysis of the beta activity (21 Hz) disclosed that high impulsive scorers as compared to low impulsive ones had higher connectivity between the superior frontal gyrus and middle temporal gyrus, which was not compensated for by enhanced inhibitory alpha (11 Hz) connectivity between these regions. For the beta frequency, we also found in highly impulsive individuals that (i) both left and right middle temporal lobes directly influenced the activity of the left and right superior frontal lobes, and (ii) a clear decoupling between left and right superior frontal lobes. These findings could indicate reduced control by the supervisory system in more impulsive individuals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain)
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18 pages, 890 KiB  
Article
Asymmetric Contributions of the Fronto-Parietal Network to Emotional Conflict in the Word–Face Interference Task
by Francesca De Luca, Manuel Petrucci, Bianca Monachesi, Michal Lavidor and Anna Pecchinenda
Symmetry 2020, 12(10), 1701; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym12101701 - 16 Oct 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2536
Abstract
The fronto-parietal network is involved in top-down and bottom-up processes necessary to achieve cognitive control. We investigated the role of asymmetric enhancement of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC) and right posterior parietal cortex (rPPC) in cognitive control under [...] Read more.
The fronto-parietal network is involved in top-down and bottom-up processes necessary to achieve cognitive control. We investigated the role of asymmetric enhancement of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC) and right posterior parietal cortex (rPPC) in cognitive control under conditions of emotional conflict arising from emotional distractors. The effects of anodal tDCS over the lDLPFC/cathodal over the rPPC and the effects of anodal tDCS over the rPPC/cathodal over the lDLPFC were compared to sham tDCS in a double-blind design. The findings showed that anodal stimulation over the lDLPFC reduced interference from emotional distractors, but only when participants had already gained experience with the task. In contrast, having already performed the task only eliminated facilitation effects for positive stimuli. Importantly, anodal stimulation of the rPPC did not affect distractors’ interference. Therefore, the present findings indicate that the lDLPFC plays a crucial role in implementing top-down control to resolve emotional conflict, but that experience with the task is necessary to reveal this role. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain)
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15 pages, 3225 KiB  
Article
Which Side Looks Better? Cultural Differences in Preference for Left- or Right-Facing Objects
by Hiroshi Nittono, Haruka Shibata, Keita Mizuhara and Shiri Lieber-Milo
Symmetry 2020, 12(10), 1658; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym12101658 - 10 Oct 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4658
Abstract
An oblique view of three-dimensional objects is preferred over a frontal or lateral view, partly because it is more familiar and easily recognizable. However, which side of a symmetric object looks better remains unsolved. Reading direction, handedness, and the functionality of objects have [...] Read more.
An oblique view of three-dimensional objects is preferred over a frontal or lateral view, partly because it is more familiar and easily recognizable. However, which side of a symmetric object looks better remains unsolved. Reading direction, handedness, and the functionality of objects have been suggested as the potential sources of directional bias. In this study, participants of three online surveys (total N = 1082) were asked to choose one item that looked better or was more aesthetically pleasing; the test was performed between 100 pairs of left- and right-facing mirror-images. The results showed that Japanese participants (both vertical and left-to-right readers) and Israeli participants (right-to-left readers) preferred left-facing images over right-facing images, whereas American participants (left-to-right readers) preferred right-facing images over left-facing images. Weak effects of handedness and object functionality were also found: Left-handers tended to choose right-facing images more than right-handers, and the view of objects with a handle that is graspable by the dominant hand was more likely to be chosen over the opposite side view, regardless of culture. Although previous studies have emphasized the role of reading direction, a close look at the results suggests that it cannot fully account for the preferred facing direction of oblique objects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain)
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Review

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37 pages, 666 KiB  
Review
EEG Resting Asymmetries and Frequency Oscillations in Approach/Avoidance Personality Traits: A Systematic Review
by Arianna Vecchio and Vilfredo De Pascalis
Symmetry 2020, 12(10), 1712; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym12101712 - 16 Oct 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4124
Abstract
Background: Brain cortical activity in resting electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings can be considered as measures of latent individual disposition to approach/avoidance behavior. This systematic review aims to provide an updated overview of the relationship between resting EEG cortical activity and approach/avoidance motivation personality traits. [...] Read more.
Background: Brain cortical activity in resting electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings can be considered as measures of latent individual disposition to approach/avoidance behavior. This systematic review aims to provide an updated overview of the relationship between resting EEG cortical activity and approach/avoidance motivation personality traits. Methods: The review process was conducted according to the PRISMA-Statement, using PsycArticles, MEDLINE, Scopus, Science Citation Index, and Research Gate database. Restrictions were made by selecting EEG studies conducted in resting idling conditions, which included approach/avoidance personality traits or parallel measures, and an index of EEG brain activity. In the review 50 studies were selected, wherein 7120 healthy adult individuals participated. Results: The study of the relationship between resting EEG cortical activity and approach/avoidance personality traits provides controversial and unclear results. Therefore, the validity of resting asymmetry or frequency oscillations as a potential marker for approach/avoidance personality traits is not supported. Conclusions: There are important contextual and interactional factors not taken into account by researchers that could mediate or moderate this relationship or prove it scarcely replicable. Further, it would be necessary to conduct more sessions of EEG recordings in different seasons of the year to test the validity and the reliability of the neurobiological measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain)
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16 pages, 1443 KiB  
Review
There are More than Two Sides to Antisocial Behavior: The Inextricable Link between Hemispheric Specialization and Environment
by Rotem Leshem
Symmetry 2020, 12(10), 1671; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym12101671 - 13 Oct 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3300
Abstract
Human functions and traits are linked to cerebral networks serving different emotional and cognitive control systems, some of which rely on hemispheric specialization and integration to promote adaptive goal-directed behavior. Among the neural systems discussed in this context are those underlying pro- and [...] Read more.
Human functions and traits are linked to cerebral networks serving different emotional and cognitive control systems, some of which rely on hemispheric specialization and integration to promote adaptive goal-directed behavior. Among the neural systems discussed in this context are those underlying pro- and antisocial behaviors. The diverse functions and traits governing our social behavior have been associated with lateralized neural activity. However, as with other complex behaviors, specific hemispheric roles are difficult to elucidate. This is due largely to environmental and contextual influences, which interact with neural substrates in the development and expression of pro and antisocial functions. This paper will discuss the reciprocal ties between environmental factors and hemispheric functioning in the context of social behavior. Rather than an exhaustive review, the paper will attempt to familiarize readers with the prominent literature and primary questions to encourage further research and in-depth discussion in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Psychology: Brain Asymmetry and Behavioral Brain)
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