title: Lateral preference in post-traumatic stress disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We assessed lateral preference in 80 male patients with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in 100 healthy age-matched male controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hand, foot, eye and ear preferences were examined, using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory-Modified and the Coren Inventory of Lateral Preference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mixed lateral preference was noted in significantly more PTSD patients than controls (65 v. 43%, P < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate a possible hemispheric imbalance (less lateralization) in PTSD patients, with the right hemisphere playing a more active role in perceptual and cognitive processing and in the regulation of biological responses in these patients. This imbalance may be relevant to the pathophysiology of PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit, Ness Ziona Mental Health Center, Israel.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Spivak
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mester
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weizman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D004423:Ear / Q000502:physiology; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D009799:Ocular Physiological Phenomena; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires