Handedness is a determining factor in lateralized olfactory discrimination
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Contributors
Abstract
The study aimed to re-investigate differences in olfactory thresholds and odor discrimination between the left and right sides in relation to the handedness of healthy subjects. Twenty left- and 20 right-handers participated; all were in excellent health with no indication of any major nasal or health problems, and all were non-smokers. The two groups were comparable in terms of sex and age (left-handers: 11 women, 9 men, median age 25 years; right-handers: 9 women, 11 men, median age 26 years). Odor thresholds did not differ in relation to handedness. However, in the odor discrimination task the left-handers performed significantly better at the left side compared with the right nostril; this pattern was reversed in the right-handers. The data indicate that, similar to other sensory systems, higher olfactory functions exhibit a certain degree of lateralization.
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 541-544 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Chemical senses |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 5 |
Publication status | Published - Oct 1998 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
PubMed | 9805638 |
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Scopus | 0031687081 |
ORCID | /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/146645545 |
Keywords
Keywords
- Identification, Tests