Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994, IF 1.256) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal covering research on symmetry phenomena wherever they occur in mathematical and scientific studies. Symmetry is published monthly online by MDPI. Media processing time is about 34 days in 2018.

**Special Issue Description**

Brain structural and functional asymmetries have been described for both vertebrate and invertebrate species. A different specialization of the right and left hemisphere for processing environmental stimuli and for controlling different categories of behaviour has been reported. Research on several vertebrate species has shown that the right hemisphere is specialized for processing novel and clearly arousing stimuli and is involved in the expression of intense emotions (e.g. aggression, escape behaviour and fear). The left hemisphere, instead, is specialized for the categorization of familiar stimuli, for the control of well-established patterns of behaviour and for the expression of pro-social and approaching behaviour. Functional asymmetries are often manifested as a side bias in behaviour, which reflects the animals’ positive or negative (valence) perception of a stimulus. Therefore, the knowledge of behavioural and functional brain lateralization has a particular relevance for improving animal welfare.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive collection of recent findings on the cerebral and behavioural lateralization of animals, offering a theoretical framework for defining useful parameters to evaluate animal welfare.

Reports of research findings as well as reviews on this topic will be acceptable contributions.

For further reading, please follow the link to the Special Issue Website at:
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/symmetry/special_issues/Brain_Functional_Lateralization_Animals

**How to Submit**

By online submission system: https://susy.mdpi.com/user/manuscripts/upload/35253b2da869d9f102a24adc26f4ca4c?form%5Bjournal_id%5D=44&form%5Bspecial_issue_id%5D=21310

Kind regards,

Ms. Linda Cui
E-Mail: linda.cui@mdpi.com

MDPI
Symmetry Editorial Office
Postfach CH-4020 Basel, Switzerland
Office: St. Alban-Anlage 66, 4052 Basel, Switzerland

E-Mail: symmetry@mdpi.com
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/symmetry/