Differential immunologic effects of language-dominant and nondominant cerebral resections

Catecholamines, infection, and death in acute ischemic stroke

“…One small study showed a decreased immunological function and greater risk of infection in stroke subjects with left-sided cerebral lesions [40], postulating the existence of a lateralization of the immunomodulation after stroke. However, experimental studies [41] and patients with brain tumors, or stroke, have provided conflicting results [42][43][44]. Our results confirmed that larger lesions conveyed a greater risk of infection [25], but found that the risk was not related to the topography of the infarction.…”

Role of cerebral lateralization in control of immune processes in humans

“…17,18 In a pilot study of epilepsy surgery patients, we found that left resections reduced lymphocytes and T cells in the early postoperative period, whereas right resections increased the same cellular elements. 19 In this study, we sought to replicate these findings in a new cohort and extend observations in time and parameters. We examined effects of cerebral lateralization and brain resections on the following immune measures: (1) nonspecific responses including in vivo cellular components (ie, leukocytes, total lymphocytes, total T cells, T helper, T cytotoxic, B cells, and NK cells), in vitro cellular mitogen responses (ie, concanavalin A, phytohemaglutin, and pokeweed), and in vivo noncellular responses (ie, wheal and flare histamine skin responses); and (2) specific in vitro responses to microbial antigens (ie, Tetanus and Candida).…”

Brain asymmetry, immunity, handedness

“…Gruzelier et al [19] reported a significant positive correlation between higher left-sided activation (lower EEG amplitude) and CD8+ T-lymphocytes count, and, conversely, relatively higher right-sided activation associated with lower CD8+ count. Meador et al [20] compared postoperative to preoperative T-lymphocyte indices in epileptic patients who had undergone neurosurgical treatment. The researchers found that the absolute lymphocyte count, total T-cells (CD3+), helper T-cells (CD3+4+), cytotoxic/suppressor cells (CD3+8+), and total suppressor cells (CD8+) were reduced following surgical interventions on the language-dominant hemisphere, however, they increased after non-dominant hemisphere resections.…”