Lateralization of the startle reflex circuit in humans: an examination with monaural probes following unilateral temporal lobe resection.
Startle reflex (SR) modulation elicited by monaural probes during affective picture viewing was investigated in patients following left temporal lobectomy (LTL; n = 8) and right temporal lobectomy (RTL; n = 10) and in controls (n = 18). All patients had undergone anteromedial temporal lobe (ATL) resection. LTL participants exhibited attenuated overall SR magnitude. Affective SR modulation in controls was significant for left ear probes, at both eyes, but not for right ear probes. RTL but not LTL participants displayed significant startle attenuation during pleasant picture viewing. Results suggest that monaural startle probes primarily activate structures in the ipsilateral ATL and that the ATLs are interconnected, with the left ATL more critical in perceiving arousing properties of affective stimuli, necessary for affective SR modulation.
Department of PsychologyUniversity of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Jonathan W L
JW
Kettle
David G
DG
Andrewes
Nicholas B
NB
Allen
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology*; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000601:surgery*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000502:physiology*