The hemispheric difference of semantic processing of Chinese characters intwo dimensions as revealed by ERPs

An experiment was conducted to examine the hemispheric dominance in semanti c processing of Chinese characters. Results showed that NI is the earliest component that reflects the semantic processing of Chinese characters. Alth ough NI of the left hemisphere is larger in amplitude, that of the right he misphere is shorter in latency. Based on these findings, the authors propos e that the left hemisphere does not start processing until the necessary in formation has been transferred from the right hemisphere. Once the left hem isphere starts processing, its intensity is stronger. Thus, it is more appr opriate to differentiate hemispheric processing dominance into two dimensio ns: speed and intensity. Moreover, the semantic cognition onset of Chinese characters occurs from 100 ms to 160 ms in the posterior perceptual process ing area of brain. NeuroReport 12:3697-3701 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.