Left-Handed Brain: Language & Inhibition | Study Findings
- A new study sheds light on how the brain organizes itself in left-handed individuals with atypical language lateralization, a phenomenon where language functions reside in the right hemisphere...
- César Ávila, leading the Neuropsychology and functional Neuroimaging Group at universitat Jaume I, spearheaded the examination into how inhibitory function—the ability to control impulses—is organized in these atypical...
- The study also revealed that atypical hemispheric specialization is associated with diminished cognitive performance in linguistic tasks.
Left-handed individuals with atypical language lateralization may use their right brain hemisphere for language,a groundbreaking study finds. The research explores the intricate relationship between language, inhibitory control, and how the brain organizes itself in this population—about one-fifth of left-handers. Key findings reveal that the left hemisphere handles inhibitory function in these individuals, contrasting with the norm, and that atypical hemispheric specialization is linked to reduced cognitive performance. News Directory 3 presents these findings, as researchers examine how brain institution, language, and inhibitory control could inform studies of neonatal injuries and cognitive rehabilitation. Discover what’s next in understanding brain function in left-handed children and adolescents to improve education and prevent developmental disorders.
Atypical Left-Handers Use Right Brain Hemisphere for Language, Study Finds
updated June 9, 2025
A new study sheds light on how the brain organizes itself in left-handed individuals with atypical language lateralization, a phenomenon where language functions reside in the right hemisphere instead of the left. This research, published in eLife, explores the relationship between language, inhibitory control, and brain organization in this unique population.
César Ávila, leading the Neuropsychology and functional Neuroimaging Group at universitat Jaume I, spearheaded the examination into how inhibitory function—the ability to control impulses—is organized in these atypical left-handers. The findings suggest that in these individuals, the left hemisphere takes over inhibitory function, differing from the norm.This involves both subcortical circuits and connectivity between hemispheres.
The study also revealed that atypical hemispheric specialization is associated with diminished cognitive performance in linguistic tasks. Furthermore, it links to preclinical traits of some neurodevelopmental disorders within the healthy population. However, the team found no direct correlation between brain organization and cognitive efficiency during inhibition tasks.
Researchers assessed 86 participants to determine language hemisphere dominance; 50 exhibited typical left-hemisphere lateralization, while 36 showed atypical right-hemisphere dominance. Bilingualism among participants did not significantly affect the results.
The Neuropsychology and functional Neuroimaging team aims to understand the brain function of left-handed individuals, noting their predisposition to both talent and neurodevelopmental disorders like epilepsy, dyslexia, and autism. They are notably interested in the potential link between being educated as a right-handed person and learning difficulties, as well as factors that might increase the likelihood of atypical language lateralization, such as musical training. Future research will focus on left-handed children and adolescents to improve education and prevent developmental disorders. These findings regarding brain organization, language, and inhibitory control could inform the study of neonatal injuries, brain plasticity, and cognitive rehabilitation.
What’s next
Future studies will examine these processes in left-handed children and teenagers, with the goal of informing educational strategies and preventing learning and developmental disorders.This research could also have implications for understanding brain injuries and cognitive rehabilitation.