Lateralization and stress responses in mice: interindividual differences in the association of brain, neuroendocrine, and immune responses.

Behavioral lateralization, as assessed by paw preference in a food-reaching task in mice, is associated with brain metabolism asymmetries and immune reactivity as well as neuroendocrine and immune stress responses. Therefore, each individual may be characterized by a lateralization score in association with a particular pattern of immune and neuroendocrine reactivities. These interindividual differences may be responsible for the variability among members of a population in the responses to various insults including psychological stressors and infections.