Lateral preference in post-traumatic stress disorder.
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.
Spivak
B
B
Research Unit, Ness Ziona Mental Health Center, Israel.
Segal
M
M
Mester
R
R
Weizman
A
A
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