Increased attentiveness is associated with hemispheric asymmetry measured with lateral tympanic membrane temperature in humans and dogs

In this study, we examined the relationship between a measure of cerebral lateralization-differences in tympanic temperature (T (Ty))-and questionnaire measures of inattentiveness and hyperactivity in both people and dogs. Theories of cerebral lateralization indicate that cerebral asymmetry may improve attentive behaviour. In people, greater left than right T (Ty) was related to increased self-reports of inattentiveness. There was no relationship between lateralized T (Ty) and hyperactivity. In dogs, there was quadratic relationship between lateralized T (Ty) and handler reports of inattentiveness. Increased T (Ty) asymmetry, regardless of direction, was related to more attentiveness. There was no discernable relationship between hyperactivity and lateralized T (Ty). Differences in T (Ty) may be an useful tool for investigating species comparisons of cerebral lateralization.