Functional asymmetry of the cerebral hemispheres: its role in the pathogenesis of ectromelia and melanoma in (CBAxC57BL/6)F1 mice.

The aim of the present work was to identify the role of functional asymmetry in the cerebral hemispheres in the pathogenesis of infectious and oncological pathology in (CBAxC57BL/6)F1 mice. Mice with lefthemisphere dominance of motor functions ("right-handers") were found to be more resistant to infection with ectromelia virus and to show slower growth of tumors after subcutaneous injection of B-16 melanoma than animals with right-hemisphere dominance of motor control ("left-handers"). Thus, this report provides the first evidence for the role of functional asymmetry of the nervous system in the pathogenesis of ectromelia and melanoma (B-16) in (CBAxC57BL/6)F1 mice.