Global-local visual processing in posttraumatic stress disorder.
The purpose of this study was to examine a behavioral index of hemispheric asymmetry (i.e., visual hierarchical attention) in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disorder characterized by anxiety and other emotional symptoms. A reaction time based, computerized, global-local visual paradigm was administered to 26 PTSD-diagnosed and 22 psychopathology-free right-handed, male Vietnam War zone veterans. Results indicated that PTSD-diagnosed veterans displayed slower reaction times to all targets than the no-mental disorders comparison sample. However, findings also revealed a Group x Target location interaction in which the PTSD group was slower than the no-disorders comparison sample to respond to local, but not global, targets. Moreover, relative global bias was greater among PTSD-diagnosed veterans than their no-diagnosis counterparts. Findings provide partial support for the hypothesis that PTSD may be associated with a functional cerebral asymmetry favoring the right hemisphere.
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA. jennifer.vasterling@med.va.gov
Jennifer J
JJ
Vasterling
Lisa M
LM
Duke
Holly
H
Tomlin
Natasha
N
Lowery
Edith
E
Kaplan
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014728:Veterans; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*