Hemispheric specialization for emotion recognition: a comparative study between human and non-human primates and between right- and left-sided cortical neurodegeneration.

A debated question in affective neuroscience is whether a functional brain asymmetry exists for certain aspects of emotion processing . In this interdisciplinary project, we will test the following hypotheses: 1. In humans, emotion recognition involves a frontotemporal system with right hemispheric dominance. 2. Right hemispheric dominance for emotion processing is more pronounced in humans than in nonhuman primates. 3. The ability to maintain intact emotion processing capacities following unilateral right hemispheric damage depends critically on the brains potential to functionally reorganize. To test our hypotheses, we will combine behavioral studies of patients with right cortical damage with functional magnetic resonance studies in human and non-human primates.

Keywords:Neurodegeneration, Affective neuroscience, Emotion

Disciplines:Neurosciences, Biological and physiological psychology, Cognitive science and intelligent systems, Developmental psychology and ageing, Psychiatry and psychotherapy, Nursing, Other paramedical sciences, Clinical and counselling psychology, Other psychology and cognitive sciences