Research article summary (published 30 Dec 2002):

Non-identical neural mechanisms for two types of mental transformation: event-related potentials during mental rotation and mental paper folding.

Full Abstract

Reaction times, accuracy and 128-channel event-related potentials (ERPs) were measured from 14 normal, right-handed subjects while they performed two different parity-judgment tasks that require transformations of mental images: a relatively simple task requiring a single transformation (mental letter rotation), and a more complex task involving a coordinated sequence of transformations (mental paper folding). Reaction times increased monotonically with larger angular displacements from the upright (for mental rotation) and with number of squares carried (for mental paper folding). Both the tasks resulted in amplitude modulation of an approximately 420-700 ms latency ERP component at parietal electrodes. Scalp topographies indicated that right parietal cortex was activated during mental rotation, but bilateral parietal regions were activated during mental paper folding. Our results support the notion of a right hemispheric superiority for tasks involving simple, single mental rotations, but indicate greater involvement of the left hemisphere when a more complex sequence of transformations are required. This task-dependent lability of hemispheric function may account for some of the inconsistent results reported by previous neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies.

Author information

Author/s: Milivojevic, B (B); Johnson, B W (BW); Hamm, J P (JP); Corballis, M C (MC);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neuropsychologia (Neuropsychologia), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-; vol 41 (issue 10) : pp 1345-56

Dates: Created 2003/05/21; Completed 2003/07/15; Revised 2009/11/11;

PMID: 12757907, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/11/2009, IMS Date: 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Cognition Electroencephalography Evoked Potentials - physiology Female Functional Laterality

Humans Imagination Male Motor Skills Space Perception Task Performance and Analysis

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