No specific effects of caloric stimulation on the visual-imagery processes of normal subjects.
Recent research indicates that neglect can be temporarily, but only partially, ameliorated by activating the contralateral hemisphere via caloric stimulation and other techniques. In this study, we evaluated whether caloric stimulation could be used to manipulate visual-imagery processes in normal subjects. 11 normal subjects participated in a quantitative visual-imagery task while undergoing caloric stimulation. Neither side of report nor ear of caloric stimulation affected performance. Possible reasons for this negative result are reviewed.
Alway
D
D
Cognitive Neuroscience Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Shotland
L I
LI
Nichelli
P
P
Appollonio
I
I
Grafman
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D002150:Caloric Tests; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011603:Psychophysiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*