Resting electroencephalogram asymmetry and posttraumatic stress disorder.
The valence-arousal (W. Heller, 1993) and approach-withdrawal (R. J. Davidson, 1998a) models hypothesize that particular patterns of hemispheric brain activity are associated with specific motivational tendencies and psychopathologies. We tested several of these predictions in two groups-a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a "supercontrol" group, selected to be maximally different from those with PTSD. Contrary to almost all hypotheses, individuals with PTSD did not differ from controls on resting electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry. Particular aspects of PTSD were also not related to EEG hemisphere differences. Our null findings are consistent with the few studies that have examined resting EEG asymmetries in PTSD and suggest that PTSD may be associated with different processes than psychopathologies previously examined in studies of hemispheric brain activity (e.g., major depressive disorder, panic disorder).
Shankman
Stewart A
SA
Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA. stewarts@uic.edu
Silverstein
Steven M
SM
Williams
Leanne M
LM
Hopkinson
Patrick J
PJ
Kemp
Andrew H
AH
Felmingham
Kim L
KL
Bryant
Richard A
RA
McFarlane
Alexander
A
Clark
C Richard
CR
D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D035061:Control Groups; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008959:Models, Neurological; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology