title: Neuroendocrine brain asymmetry and physical complaints.
abstract: It was examined whether there is an association between physical health and alterations of normal brain asymmetry in cerebral control of neuroendocrine activity. In particular, it was studied whether right-handed subjects showing a high amount of physical complaints and recurrent diseases differ in direction and degree of brain asymmetry in cerebral control of cortisol secretion from subjects with only few physical complaints. Lateralized brain activation was achieved by presenting an emotionally aversive film to the subjects' left or right visual hemifield, using a technique for lateralizing visual input that allows prolonged viewing while permitting free ocular scanning. Results revealed a clear association between a high degree of physical complaints and altered brain asymmetry in cerebral control of neuroendocrine activity.
authors.affiliation: Catholic University of Eichstätt, Department of Physiological and Clinical Psychology, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wittling
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schweiger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism; D014794:Visual Fields
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone