Symmetry and Biology Section: Feature Papers in Neuroscience and Behavior

Dear Colleagues,

In the second half of the nineteenth-century, neuroscience research began to demonstrate the asymmetric distribution of brain anatomy and functions between the two hemispheres, generally ascribed to as lateralization. Among factors responsible for hemispheric asymmetry, there is not only the emergence of language but also developmental and genetic factors. Brain structural asymmetries are present in both nonhuman primates and human fetal brains. A lack of cerebral lateralization is observed in patients with developmental dyslexia, schizophrenia, and an autism spectrum disorder.

Several brain functions as language, emotion, motivation, attention, learning, memory, face processing, and social behavior can be better described in the light of hemispheric asymmetry rather than symmetry. Research on brain laterality differences between the genders has also shown a stronger left-lateralization of the language networks in females than males, whereas a stronger right-lateralization of visuospatial networks in males. Neuroscience research on temperamental traits in humans and animals has also outlined a greater left- than right-frontal activation in approach-oriented individuals, whereas higher levels in anxiety/behavioral inhibition have been associated with greater right- than left-frontal activation.

Non-clinical and clinical reports on hemispheric asymmetry and its modulation by individual differences in gender, language, visual/auditory processing, affective tendencies, and emotional state context will be well accepted for this Special Issue. Reports on hemispheric asymmetry in psychopathology, genetic/biochemical influence on asymmetrical brain functioning, as well as reviews and theoretical debate on the lateralization of hemispheric functions, will be well accepted. Manuscripts including electrophysiology and neuroimaging methods for the evaluation of hemispheric asymmetry/symmetry will be considered particularly relevant.

Prof. Dr. Vilfredo De Pascalis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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