INTERHEMISPHERIC TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION AND FUNCTIONAL ASYMMETRYOF THE HUMAN BRAIN

The study investigated directional differences in interhemispheric tra nsmission time using the VEPs method. Specificially we were interested in whether there exists an asymmetry in the transmission of informati on to and from the hemisphere specialized in its processing. Two type of stimuli, specific for the left and right hemisphere, were presented in the left and right visual fields. The latency differences between visual evoked potential components registered in the hemispheres ipsil ateral and contralateral to the stimulated hemifield were compared. In terhemispheric transmission time was shorter when the information was transferred from the hemisphere non-specialized for its processing to the specialized one than in the opposite direction. The results sugges t the existence of a physiological mechanism that ensures fast transmi ssion of information to that hemisphere which is more efficient in its processing.