Interhemispheric asymmetry profile and cognitive functions in adolescents with average and high intelligence

Abstract

Background. The neuropsychological approach suggests that differences in cognitive processes are associated with the variability of combinations of signs of partial dominance of certain brain structures, manifested in the form of individual laterality profiles. However, the problem of identifying and studying the relationship between interhemispheric asymmetry and cognitive functions in adolescents with a high level of intelligence remains not fully resolved, which determines the relevance of this study.The aim of the research was to describe the relationship between the type of profile of interhemispheric asymmetry with the characteristics of cognitive functions in adolescents with average and high levels of intelligence.Materials and methods. The sample included 52 people aged 12–15 years: 26 adolescents with high level intelligence (main group), 26 adolescents with an average level of intelligence (control group). The following research methods were used: Wechsler test (WISC-IV), method for studying the profile of interhemispheric asymmetry (Khomskaya E.D., Efimova I.V.); method “Correction test” by B. Bourdon; method ”Story on a given topic”.Results. The majority of adolescents with a high level of intelligence revealed the severity of right-lateral features, which were traced in the manual, auditory and visual spheres of sensorimotor asymmetry. At the same time, the severity of right-lateral and ambilateral features is accompanied by more pronounced indicators of the development of cognitive functions. Adolescents with the type of profile of interhemispheric asymmetry “Left-handed” were characterized by an insufficient level of attention stability and a reduced ability for detailed speech utterance, regardless of the level of intelligence.Conclusions. The data obtained show that the peculiarity of individual profiles of interhemispheric asymmetry determines the uneven development of a number of mental functions in adolescence and the different readiness of brain mechanisms to support various cognitive processes. We assume that the results of the work will expand the understanding of the role of interhemispheric asymmetry of the brain in the organization of cognitive functions in adolescents with a high level of intelligence.