Decussation as an axial twist: A comment on Kinsbourne (2013)

de Lussanet de la Sablonière MHE, Osse JWM

Abstract

One of the great mysteries of the brain, which has puzzled all-time students of brain form and function is the contralateral organization of the forebrain, and the crossings of its major afferent and efferent connections. As a novel explanation, two recent studies have proposed that the rostral part of the head, including the forebrain, is rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the rest of the body (de Lussanet and Osse, 2012, Animal Biology 62, 193–216; Kinsbourne, 2013, Neuropsychology 27, 511–515). Kinsbourne proposes one 180-degree turn while we consider the 180 degrees being the result of two 90-degree turns in opposite directions. We discuss the similarities and differences between the two hypotheses.

Projects the publication originates from