Unilateral cerebral inactivation produces differential left/right heart rate responses.
We studied heart rate following unilateral hemispheric inactivation by intracarotid amobarbital in 25 patients undergoing preoperative evaluation for epilepsy surgery. Heart rate increased after left hemisphere inactivation, but decreased following right hemisphere inactivation. The results are consistent with differential left/right cerebral hemispheric effects on autonomic function, and appear related to functional and anatomic asymmetries in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Zamrini
E Y
EY
Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912.
Meador
K J
KJ
Loring
D W
DW
Nichols
F T
FT
Lee
G P
GP
Figueroa
R E
RE
Thompson
W O
WO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000654:Amobarbital / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000654:Amobarbital