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Home / Equine Research Bank / Sci Rep / Attentional state and brain processes: state-dependent later...
Scientific reports2018; 8(1); 10153; doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-28334-9

Attentional state and brain processes: state-dependent lateralization of EEG profiles in horses.

Abstract: Lateralization of brain functions has been suggested to provide individuals with advantages, such as an increase of neural efficiency. The right hemisphere is likely to be specialized for processing attention for details and the left hemisphere for categorization of stimuli. Thus attentional processes actually may underlie lateralization. In the present study, we hypothesized that the attentional state of horses could be reflected in the lateralization of brain responses. We used i) a recently developed attention test to measure horses' visual attentional responses towards a standardized stimulus and ii) a recently developed portable EEG telemetric tool to measure brain responses. A particular emphasis was given to the types of waves (EEG power profile) and their side of production when horses were either attentive towards a visual stimulus or quiet standing. The results confirmed that a higher attentional state is associated with a higher proportion of gamma waves. There was moreover an interaction between the attentional state, the hemisphere and the EEG profile: attention towards the visual stimulus was associated with a significant increase of gamma wave proportion in the right hemisphere while "inattention" was associated with more alpha and beta waves in the left hemisphere. These first results are highly promising and contribute to the large debate on functional lateralization.
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Publication Date: 2018-07-05 PubMed ID: 29976936PubMed Central: PMC6033862DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28334-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article studies the impact of attentional state on brain activity in horses, finding distinct brainwave activities in different hemispheres depending on whether the horse is attentive or inattentive.

Introduction and Hypothesis

  • The researchers sought to understand whether the attentional state of horses could be reflected in the lateralization of brain responses. Lateralization refers to the specialization of certain functions within specific hemispheres of the brain.
  • Previous studies suggest that the right brain hemisphere specializes in attention to detail, while the left brain hemisphere is better at categorizing stimuli. Thus, the research hypothesized that changes in the horses’ attentional state could manifest as changes in brain activity in specific brain regions.

Methodology

  • Researchers employed a two-pronged approach: a new visual attention test and a portable EEG tool designed to measure brain activity in horses.
  • The focus of the study was on the types of brainwaves (EEG power profile) and their lateralization, i.e., which side of the brain was producing them under different attention conditions.

Results

  • Data from the study confirmed the researchers’ hypothesis. High levels of attention in horses were linked to a higher proportion of gamma waves, a type of brainwave associated with sensory processing and memory.
  • A marked interaction between the horses’ attentional state and brain hemisphere dominance was also thrown into relief. Horses showed a significant increase in gamma wave activity in the right hemisphere when attentive. In contrast, “inattention” was characterized by higher proportions of alpha and beta waves – associated with relaxation and alertness respectively – in the left hemisphere.

Conclusion

  • The study gives promising preliminary evidence that changes in attentional state could be related to changes in brainwave activity and lateralization in the brain. The findings thus contribute to the ongoing discussion on functional lateralization, particularly in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Rochais C, Sébilleau M, Menoret M, Oger M, Henry S, Hausberger M, Cousillas H. (2018). Attentional state and brain processes: state-dependent lateralization of EEG profiles in horses. Sci Rep, 8(1), 10153. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-28334-9

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 1
Pages: 10153
PII: 10153

Researcher Affiliations

Rochais, C
  • Université de Rennes, UMR 6552 -Laboratoire Ethologie Animale et Humaine-EthoS-, CNRS, Université de Caen-Normandie, Station Biologique, 35380, Paimpont, France.
Sébilleau, M
  • Université de Rennes, UMR 6552 -Laboratoire Ethologie Animale et Humaine-EthoS-, CNRS, Université de Caen-Normandie, Station Biologique, 35380, Paimpont, France.
Menoret, M
  • Université de Rennes, UMR CNRS 6552 -Laboratoire Ethologie Animale et Humaine-EthoS- CNRS, Université de Caen-Normandie, Campus de Beaulieu, 263 avenue du général Leclerc, 35042, Rennes, cedex, France.
Oger, M
  • Université de Rennes, UMR CNRS 6164, IETR Institut d'Electronique de Rennes, Campus de Beaulieu, Avenue du Général Leclerc, 35042, Rennes, cedex, France.
Henry, S
  • Université de Rennes, UMR 6552 -Laboratoire Ethologie Animale et Humaine-EthoS-, CNRS, Université de Caen-Normandie, Station Biologique, 35380, Paimpont, France.
Hausberger, M
  • CNRS- UMR 6552, -Laboratoire Ethologie Animale et Humaine-EthoS-, Université de Rennes 1, Université de Caen-Normandie, 263 avenue du Général Leclerc, 35042, Rennes, Cedex, France.
Cousillas, H
  • Université de Rennes, UMR CNRS 6552 -Laboratoire Ethologie Animale et Humaine-EthoS- CNRS, Université de Caen-Normandie, Campus de Beaulieu, 263 avenue du général Leclerc, 35042, Rennes, cedex, France. hugo.cousillas@univ-rennes1.fr.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Attention / physiology
  • Brain / physiology
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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