The main goal is to investigate the function of cerebral lateralization through an analysis of the relations between lateralization, CC-size and dual-task performance.
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
geen, het betreft gezonde proefpersonen en een theoretische vraagstelling
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Outcome of the study: The leading theory predicts a positive correlation
between strength of lateralization and dual task efficiency and a negative
correlation with CC-size, for subjects classified as contra-lateral.
Primary study parameters: The blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery
of both hemispheres is measured with fTCD during a single language task and a
single visuospatial task. This way, pattern and strength of cerebral
lateralization in the subjects can be assessed. The relationship between
pattern and strength of lateralization and dual-task performance.
Secondary outcome
Secondary study parameters: The size of the corpus callosum is measured with
MRI and will be related to dual-task performance and pattern and strength of
lateralization.
Background summary
The function of cerebral lateralization is unknown. The few existing studies in
animals and humans suggest better information processing with stronger
lateralization. Lateralization might allow parallel processing. In tasks with
little interference we did not find significant differences in dual-task
performance between subjects with different lateralization patterns and
inconclusive negative relationships with strength of lateralization. We now
will increase dual-task interference and put the relationship between dual-task
performance with strength and pattern of lateralization to a more stringent
test. There are strong indications for the involvement of the corpus callosum
(CC) in dual task performance and lateralization.
Study objective
The main goal is to investigate the function of cerebral lateralization through
an analysis of the relations between lateralization, CC-size and dual-task
performance.
Study design
Study design: Subjects perform a language task and a visuospatial task that
typically load the left and the right hemisphere, respectively. Before and
during these tasks Functional Transcranial Doppler sonography (fTCD) is used to
measure differences between left and right hemispheres in blood flow change
(relative to baseline) in the Middle Cerebral Arteries (MCA). This provides a
reliable index of individual task related lateralization. Subjects are then
classified as being typically or atypically, and as contra-laterally or
ipsi-laterally lateralized. This yields four *pattern of lateralization* groups
in the study design. Strength of lateralization is a continuous independent
variable.
The size of the CC will be measured by an MRI scan.
Dual-task efficiency will be measured during simultaneous performance of two
tasks relative to the performance of the single tasks. Lateralization pattern
or strength and CC-size are analyzed as predictors of dual task efficiency.
Study burden and risks
Lateralization patterns will be assessed with fTCD - an established reliable
and non-invasive and safe technique. The anatomical MRI scan will take 8
minutes and is performed in an 3 Tesla MRI scanner. No effects on health are
known, provided that the requirements for MRI are fulfilled. The cognitive
tasks are no burden. The subjects are healthy students; there is no benefit for
them (except for study points or financial reward).
Grote Kruisstraat 2-1
9712TS Groningen
NL
Grote Kruisstraat 2-1
9712TS Groningen
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
- 18-30 years
- native Dutch speakers
Exclusion criteria
General:
- Poor vision despite glasses or lenses
- Poor health as self-reported;MRI-related:
- presence of metal implants
- presence of electronic implants (eg cardiac pacemakers)
- use of medications / drugs that can affect performance during the tasks
- claustrophobia
- (possible) pregnancy
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL40358.042.12 |