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This study was undertaken in an effort to determine whether or not left-handed students achieve as high pro- ficiency as do right-handed students in secondary school subjects which require motor ability. This problem came to the attention of the writer after he had examined the pre- vious writings in the general field of inquiry. It was found that mich of the material contained in these earlier studies had to do with the probable causes of handedness and what the effect would be to change a sinistral indi- vidual to dextral usage. Less material was found concern- ing the relative success of the left-handed student who was permitted to continue using his left hand.

The purpose of this project is to develop a website that helps left handed students, their parents, and teachers to help left-handers, whether they are left-or-right-brain dominant, succeed. This website will be a tool to get to know their children and students better. The project consists of a paper and a website to educate about left-handed people.

Humans display a 90% population level bias towards right-handedness, implying the vast majority of people have a left-hemisphere dominant for motor control. Although handedness presents a weak, but very consistent heritability across the literature (estimated to be approximately 25%), to date few genetic loci associated with this complex trait have been identified and replicated in subsequent studies. One such gene which has been found to be associated with handedness and subsequently replicated is PCSK6, most recently through a quantitative GWAS (P < 0.5*10−8, Brandler et al. (2013)). Interestingly, PCSK6 is known to activate Nodal, a morphogen involved in a highly conserved bilaterian pathway known to regulate left-right body axis determination. Here I present the first molecular characterisation of a handedness-associated region by conducting a detailed functional analysis of the PCSK6 locus, combining genetic analysis, in silico prediction and molecular assays to investigate how common genetic variants influence handedness-related phenotypes. Specifically, I defined the associated locus to be 12.7 kb in size, spanning a predicted 1.8 kb bidirectional promoter which controls the expression of both an antisense long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and a novel short PCSK6 isoform. A series of luciferase-expressing constructs were generated to characterise the promoter, identifying a minimal sequence capable of driving transcription in a sense strand direction. I have demonstrated experimentally that one of the top associated markers in previous GWA studies, rs11855145, directly creates/disrupts a suspected transcription factor bind site in the vicinity of this bidirectional promoter. Further functional studies of the genetic variation within PCSK6 may help explain the molecular regulatory mechanisms affecting gene expression. This project provides a model for assays to study other GWAS-nominated candidate genes, and in particular for establishing the role of noncoding variants. The findings from this study support the role of common variants in influencing complex phenotypes, such as handedness.

Copies of author's previously published articles inserted. / Bibliography: leaves 193-228. / xvi, 235 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / The aim of this thesis is to provide evidence of a training related effect on neural control of a muscle in individuals who have long standing different patterns of use of their muscles. The study examines the motor unit (MU) discharge properties in first dorsal interosseous muscle of individuals who had experienced very different usage patterns of their hand muscles and explores the relationship between different muscle usage patterns and involuntary force fluctuations (tremor). It evaluates the importance of the shared branched-axon inputs to motor neurons in the production of common drive and investigates the relationship between different measures of MU sychronization. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Physiology, 1997?

[Truncated abstract] Atypical handedness is found to be more prevalent in schizophrenia patients than in psychiatric and normal controls, suggesting atypical brain lateralisation, particularly of regions associated with language. This ‘behavioural aberration’ is commonly considered as a marker of disturbed neurodevelopment, which is usually indexed by minor physical abnormalities. A prevailing view in the literature is that the atypical lateralisation of hand preference provides an additional index for the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia. Consistent with this hypothesis, an atypical lateralisation of hand preferences can also be considered as a consequence of environmental agents that might have interfered with early embryonic development. Notwithstanding the above, an atypical lateralisation of hand preferences can occur as a result of genetic factors as well as an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The overall objective of this thesis was to advance existing knowledge on atypical laterality in schizophrenia by addressing its various (though related) aspects, including measurement, classification and conceptualisation. Atypical lateralisation of hand preferences in schizophrenia patients was approached by five separate studies. ... Overall, this thesis argues that the causes of atypical lateralisation of hand preferences are due to combined genetic and environmental factors and that its use as a marker of vulnerability to schizophrenia is limited. A cautious interpretation of various associations between the laterality and other measures, particularly cognitive measures, is advised until a broad agreement on the true nature of handedness is reached.

Thesis (doctoral)--Université de Clermont-Ferrand, 1976.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universiteit Utrecht, 1995. / Summaries in English and French.

Thesis (doctoral)--Université de Clermont-Ferrand, 1976.

M.A. (Psychology) / Spatial ability as a cognitive ability has for some time been recognised as a distinct component in the intellectual make-up of the individual. Since the earliest identification of spatial ability in the 1920's, interest has been shown in the fuller understanding of this ability. Many controversies still exist since spatial ability has yet to be defined in a definitive manner. Spatial ability has received relatively little attention. Since a relationship between spatial ability and occupational success has been established, more interest has been shown in this field. Spatial ability is as important as language for survival in the business world and more so in the technical field. Spatial ability is synonymous with the socalled "minor" hemisphere. The importance of the "minor" hemisphere and in particular the link between the right hemisphere and the language centres of the left hemisphere, has recently been. recognised. This recognition is found where the right hemisphere together with the damaged left hemisphere may be included in a rehabilitation programme. Spatial ability is the product of environmental influences which include child rearing practices, education and nutrition. Other influences are of a genetic, hormonal and neurological nature. Associated the concept terms, the associated with of left with the cognitive functions of the brain, is lateralisation of functions.