Experimental stimulation by burst-firing weak magnetic fields over the right temporal lobe may facilitate apprehension in women.
Intermittent bursts of weak magnetic fields whose patterns simulate normal amygdaloidal-hippocampal activity were generated by computer over the right or left temporal regions of men and women during partial sensory deprivation. As predicted, women but not men reported greater apprehension during right-hemispheric but not left-hemispheric stimulation. Intrusions of right-hemispheric processes have been hypothesized to affect self-esteem adversely. These results also support the role of the right parahippocampal region in the production of panic attacks.
Richards
P M
PM
Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
Koren
S A
SA
Persinger
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000502:physiology*