Lateralization of pupillary light reflex parameters.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine differing reactions of the left and right eyes with regard to pupillary light reflex (PLR) parameters.


METHODS
All together 90 healthy subjects were included. In the first test series, 34 subjects were investigated on both eyes (left eye was tested first, three tests per day and one reliability test). In the second test series, 32 subjects were studied while changing the beginning side. In the last test series, 29 subjects were investigated 12 times each within 1h (beginning side changed, without spoken advice). Infrared pupillometry was used to study pupil diameter, latency time, relative amplitude, contraction/dilation velocity, and pupil redilation time.


RESULTS
The study demonstrated significant differences of PLR parameters between both eyes. In contrast to the pupil diameter of the left eye the parasympathetically-dominated right eye was not influenced by vocal instructions or by changing the beginning side.


CONCLUSIONS
PLR parameters might indicate functional lateralization of autonomic function in the central nervous system. High sensitivity of the procedure (arousal due to spoken advice, time of day) is advantageous for various psychophysiological investigations.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences between both eyes might point towards cortical lateralization of central autonomic function.
Bär
Karl-Jürgen
KJ
Department of Psychiatry, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Philosophenweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany. karl-juergen.baer@med.uni-jena.de
Boettger
Michael Karl
MK
Till
Silke
S
Dolicek
Julia
J
Sauer
Heinrich
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D012025:Reflex, Pupillary / Q000502:physiology*