CORPUS CALLOSUM AND THE INTERHEMISPHERIC TRANSMISSION OF TACTUAL LEARNING

Abstract

Nine normal and eight corpus callosum sectioned monkeys were tested for transfer of training between the hands and between the feet. Normal monkeys recalled almost immediately with one hand tasks they had learned with the other hand. After learning the tactual discrimination response through one foot they failed to show early recognition through the second foot but learned more rapidly through the first. Thus, normal monkeys exhibit a high order transfer of training between the hands and an impeded transfer of training between the feet. By contrast, the corpus callosum sectioned animals failed to exhibit and evidence of training transfer between the hands or between the feet, of 1) a simple bar-pressing behavior (acquired motor skill), 2) a warm-cold discrimination response, and 3) a more difficult tactual form discrimination response. Instead, the course of learning through opposite members in these animals was remarkablv similar. The concept that section of the corpus callosum depresses rates of learning through the separate body members received no support from this study.