Asymmetry of brain functional activation: fMRI study under language and music stimulation

Objective To determine the asymmetry of the human brain functional activation. Methods With the help of GE Signa Horizon MRI cystem, 14 cases of right-handed volunteers were examined and the blood oxygenation level dependent method was used. The T1-weighted images were obtained with spin echo pulse sequence and the functional imaging (T2*-weighted) was performed using a single shot echo planar imaging pulse sequence. Data analysis was done with Sun Spare Workstation and by the method of student t test or correlation analysis. Results Most of activation areas were in the left hemisphere under language stimulation, while they were in the right side under music stimulation. Besides, a few brain areas in the contralateral cerebral cortex were also activated under both stimulations. Conclusion The present study supported the hypothesis of the asymmetry of brain functional activation and many brain areas of the cerebral cortex as well as both hemispheres worked in coordination. In addition, it also proved that fMRI is a feasible method in the study of human brain in vivo.