Decoupling neural networks from reality: dissociative experiences in torture victims are reflected in abnormal brain waves in left frontal cortex.
From a neuroscience perspective, little is known about the long-term effect of torture. Dissociative experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder are often the results of this experience. We examined psychological dissociation within a group of 23 torture victims and report its manifestations within neural networks in the human brain. In particular, we observed that dissociative experiences are associated with slow abnormal brain waves generated in left ventrolateral frontal cortex. Given that focal slow waves often result from depriving neural networks of major input, the present results may indicate decoupling of frontal affective processors from left cortical language areas. This interpretation is consistent with the fact that disturbed access to structured verbal memory concerning traumatic events is a core feature of the dissociative experience.
Ray
William J
WJ
University of Konstanz and Center for Psychiatry, Reichenau, Germany. wjr@psu.edu
Odenwald
Michael
M
Neuner
Frank
F
Schauer
Maggie
M
Ruf
Martina
M
Wienbruch
Christian
C
Rockstroh
Brigitte
B
Elbert
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D015225:Magnetoencephalography; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology*; D011936:Reality Testing; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D014104:Torture / Q000523:psychology*