Abstract
Several hypotheses were tested concerning possible relationships among handedness, developmental disorders, and immune disorders derived from the Geschwind and Galaburda (1985a) formulation of the biological mechanisms of cerebral lateralization. A sample of healthy elderly participants (N = 238) completed handedness, developmental disorders, and immune disorders questionnaires. In addition, four measures of immune function (delayed hypersensitivity skin testing, mitogen testing, assay for autoantibodies and circulating immune complexes, and lymphocyte count) were collected from each participant. Two of the major hypotheses were supported. Hand preference was associated with developmental disorders (r = —.22, p =.0008), and immune disorders were associated with developmental disorders (r =. 38, p <. 001). However, no relationship was observed between hand preference and either immune history or immune functions. The relevance of these findings for the Geschwind and Galaburda formulation are discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 103-115 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Developmental Neuropsychology |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1988 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
- Developmental and Educational Psychology