Looking at Both Sides: Integrating Data From Both Hemispheres Is Crucial in Rodent Neuroscience

Abstract

Despite the overwhelming prevalence of rodent-based research in neuroscience, with over 8700 studies published until March 2025 in the European Journal of Neuroscience alone (based on a targeted PubMed search using rodent-related keywords), one striking reality stands out: only a handful—24 studies—have explicitly addressed hemispheric asymmetries (using the same search with asymmetry-related terms). While this number is not exhaustive, it serves to exemplify the relatively limited focus on hemispheric lateralization in rodent studies. This notable gap in the literature highlights a pervasive underappreciation for the role of brain lateralization in rodents, a critical area of investigation that has been widely studied in human neuroscience but remains largely unexplored in animal models. In light of this, it becomes clear that a fundamental shift in research priorities is needed to unlock the full potential of rodent models in understanding brain organization and its implications for neurological and psychiatric disorders.