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New Study Sheds Light on the Complexities of Cerebral Lateralization of Writting, Both on Paper and on Computer Keyboard

New Study Sheds Light on the Complexities of Cerebral Lateralization of Writting, Both on Paper and on Computer Keyboard

Does the way you write—by hand or on a keyboard—change how your brain’s hemispheres process language? And does that differ between left-handers and right-handers? Cerebral lateralization, the specialization of cognitive functions in one hemisphere of the brain, is well-established for spoken language, with the left hemisphere typically being the dominant one, especially for right-handers. However, the neural mechanisms underlying written language—both handwriting and typing—remain less studied, particularly in left-handed individuals.

A new study investigates the complex relationship between language lateralization and means of writing, shedding light on how brain hemispheres contribute to handwriting and typing in left-handed and right-handed individuals. The study, recently published in the European Journal of Neuroscience, was led by Dr Marietta Papadatou-Pastou, an Assοciate Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with contributions from a multinational team of researchers from institutions in Greece, Australia, and Canada. Mr. Christos Samsouris, PhD Candidate in NKUA, is the first author.

Writing is a fundamental tool for communication, learning, and creativity, allowing us to record ideas, share knowledge, and express ourselves across time and space. In today’s digital world, typing has become just as essential, enabling faster, more efficient communication and access to vast amounts of information. Beyond convenience, typing is essential in education and professional settings, shaping how we learn, work, and communicate. Additionally, research suggests that typing, like handwriting, engages cognitive processes related to language and memory, highlighting its importance in modern literacy.

Utilizing functional transcranial Doppler ultrasound (fTCD), a non-invasive technique that measures cerebral blood flow, researchers aimed to study cerebral lateralization in left-handers and right-handers. They then compared cerebral activation during written word generation to the activation during matched control tasks (namely letter copying for handwriting and random key presses for typing), to uncover the neural mechanisms underlying the linguistic component of written language and its lateralization.

Consistent with the pre-registered hypothesis, the study found no difference in the cerebral lateralization of the linguistic component of writing between handwriting and typing. These results highlight the potential of keyboard-based writing as a viable tool for studying the neural basis of written language. However, the evidence regarding potential differences between left-handers and right-handers was inconclusive.

Most neuroimaging studies on writing have focused primarily on right-handers, despite left-handers making up around 10% of the population. While our study did not find conclusive evidence for a difference between handedness groups, including both was essential for capturing the full variability of written language lateralization. A more inclusive approach -such as the one employed here – in future research will help refine our understanding of how writing is represented in the brain across individuals.

For more information or to access the complete academic paper, please visit the following link.

 

University of Athens – Harvard University: Intensive English-Taught Course Entitled ‘Clinical Epidemiology: From Theory to Application’

University of Athens – Harvard University: Intensive English-Taught Course Entitled ‘Clinical Epidemiology: From Theory to Application’

Within the context of the Memorandum of Understanding between Harvard University and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, which involves collaboration between the Departments of Epidemiology of T.H. Chan School of Public Health of Harvard University and the School of Medicine of the University of Athens, we are pleased to announce the launch of […]

University of Athens graduates can now access digital degree certificates via gov.gr

University of Athens graduates can now access digital degree certificates via gov.gr

A long-standing request from graduates and public services has finally been fulfilled: degree certificates issued by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens since 2000 are now available through the ‘Πιστοποιητικά Σπουδών [Degree Certificates]’ platform on gov.gr. The entire process is completed online using your Taxisnet credentials and Social Security Number (AMKA). How to access […]

Civic engagement activities of Gerodontology NKUA for the Academic Year 2024-25

Civic engagement activities of Gerodontology NKUA for the Academic Year 2024-25

The Discipline of Gerodontology of the Dental School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), continuing a 14-year-long effort to promote the oral health of older citizens, especially those in vulnerable groups, has successfully completed its educational and civic engagement activities for the academic year 2024–2025. These activities were organised and carried out […]

Snorkeling Through Science and Self: Two Weeks in Greece

Snorkeling Through Science and Self: Two Weeks in Greece

Saroosh Zahid is a rising junior at Georgetown University-Qatar, pictured above third from left. As I walk down the most recent lane in memory town, I can’t help but smile at the thought of two  wonderful weeks I spent with a brilliant group of people in Greece. I was part of the Earth Commons’ summer […]

Department of Geology and Geoenvironment unveils new palaeontological discoveries at Vatera

Department of Geology and Geoenvironment unveils new palaeontological discoveries at Vatera

Vatera, a region on the island of Lesbos known for its remarkable palaeontological finds, has once again attracted scientific interest following discoveries that shed light on its geological past. Recent palaeontological research is deepening our understanding of the animals that once roamed the area millions of years ago. One particularly exciting discovery is that of […]

School of Medicine and School of Law top the admission scores

School of Medicine and School of Law top the admission scores

For another consecutive year, the School of Medicine and the School of Law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens have maintained their pre-eminence and appeal, securing top spots in the admission scores of the ‘Panhellenic Exams’. In addition, the Departments of Pharmacy, Dentistry, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, and Informatics have proven exceptionally popular, continuing […]

‘NKUA in the City’: Overview of activities, 2024-2025

‘NKUA in the City’: Overview of activities, 2024-2025

The series of educational, cultural, and artistic activities titled ‘NKUA in the City’ was introduced by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens—following a proposal by the present author—and officially launched on March 21, 2024. The events are co-organized with the Municipality of Athens based on a Memorandum of Understanding that was mutually agreed upon […]

University of Athens

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, which was inaugurated on May 3, 1837, was initially housed in a renovated Ottoman building on the northeastern side of the Acropolis. This building has since been restored and now functions as the University Museum. Originally named the "Othonian University," after Otto, the first king of Greece, it consisted of four academic departments and 52 students. As the first university of the newly established Greek state, as well as of the broader Balkan and Mediterranean region, it assumed an important socio-historical role, which was pivotal in the development of specific forms of knowledge and culture within the country.

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