| Plastic changes in motor control
in converted left-handers
Until some
decades ago left-handed children who attended Polish schools were often
forced to use their right hand for writing. In some of them the process
of switching to the right hand was smooth and they were easily able to
change their hand preference (at least for writing), but in some, it was
very difficult and not fully successful. We are interested whether
“converted” left-handers use the same brain areas as innate right-handers
for the control of various motor tasks (including writing). To address
this issue we investigate with fMRI functional neuroanatomy of simple and
complex motor actions performed with the dominant and non-dominant hand
in right-handers, left-handers and in groups of converted left-handers
who switched to the right hand with or without difficulties. Specifically,
we want to find out whether the brain activity pattern corresponds to
what can be observed at the behavioral level (i.e. the preferences in
using left and right hands). We are also interested in changes in brain
activation patterns in those people who (for some reasons) have had one
hand immobilized for a longer period. Some of them permanently changed
their hand-use preferences.
The study is continued.
Grabowska A, Gut M. Human brain plasicity: mechanisms and functional
relevance of cortical reorganisation. (submitted)
Grabowska A, Gut M. Handedness and cortical organisation of motor
function: a new perspective based on functional neuroimaging. (submitted)
Gut M. Plastyczny mózg. Wszechświat,
105 (1-3): 2004
Gut M. Zmiany plastyczne
w korze zawiadującej ruchami rąk u osób przestawionych z ręki lewej na prawą.
Biuletyn Informacyjny Oddziału Warszawskiego PTD, 25: 33-41, 2003
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