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Increased attentiveness is associated with hemispheric asymmetry measured with lateral tympanic membrane temperature in humans and dogs

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Abstract

In this study, we examined the relationship between a measure of cerebral lateralization—differences in tympanic temperature (T Ty)—and questionnaire measures of inattentiveness and hyperactivity in both people and dogs. Theories of cerebral lateralization indicate that cerebral asymmetry may improve attentive behaviour. In people, greater left than right T Ty was related to increased self-reports of inattentiveness. There was no relationship between lateralized T Ty and hyperactivity. In dogs, there was quadratic relationship between lateralized T Ty and handler reports of inattentiveness. Increased T Ty asymmetry, regardless of direction, was related to more attentiveness. There was no discernable relationship between hyperactivity and lateralized T Ty. Differences in T Ty may be an useful tool for investigating species comparisons of cerebral lateralization.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Carlo Alberto Marzi, Lesley J. Rogers, and an anonymous reviewer for providing constructive feedback on this paper. The research was supported by a University of Canterbury science grant.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand

    William S. Helton & Michelle Maginnity

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  1. William S. Helton
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  2. Michelle Maginnity
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Correspondence to William S. Helton.

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Helton, W.S., Maginnity, M. Increased attentiveness is associated with hemispheric asymmetry measured with lateral tympanic membrane temperature in humans and dogs. Exp Brain Res 219, 321–326 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-012-3093-9

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