Citation

Ecuyer-Dab I, Tremblay T, Joanette Y, Passini R. Brain Cogn. 2005; 57(3): 219-221.

Affiliation

Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal, Que., Canada H3W 1W5.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.bandc.2004.02.020

PMID

15780453

Abstract

According to , pronounced left hemisphere lateralization for language abilities in women, as in female absolute right-handers, limits their right hemisphere capacity and spatial abilities. This study examines the degree of handedness and the family history of non-right-handedness with respect to real-life spatial abilities in women. Twenty-four women had, first, to learn a new route and, second, to orient themselves within a labyrinth. In the former task, the number of errors and completion time were evaluated; in the latter task, degree of error for orienting was recorded. The results show that, contrary to Annett's prediction, right-handers with and without a family history of non-right-handedness did not differ on these measures. In addition, and unexpectedly, absolute right-handers were found to surpass non-absolute ones in the spatial orientation task. These findings do not support Annett's hypothesis and are discussed in relation to functional cerebral organization.