Attention bias and sensitization in chemical sensitivity.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether persons with self-reported chemical sensitivity (CS) have an attention bias and enhanced sensitization to chemical exposure.


METHODS
Chemosomatosensory, olfactory, and auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 21 CS subjects and 17 controls in attend and ignore conditions. Reaction times (RTs) and magnitude estimations of perceived intensity were collected in the attend condition. ERPs were averaged over attention conditions and during the first/second part of the testing.


RESULTS
ERP patterns indicated that CS subjects did not habituate to the same extent as the controls and had difficulties ignoring the chemical exposure. CS subjects had faster overall RT, and the perceived intensities for the chemosomatosensory stimuli did not decrease with time in the CS group, which was the case for the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicating attention bias and enhanced sensitization in CS suggest alterations in central, cognitive responses to chemical exposure.
Andersson
Linus
L
Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. linus.andersson@psy.umu.se
Bende
Mats
M
Millqvist
Eva
E
Nordin
Steven
S
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D015982:Bias; D003071:Cognition; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018777:Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009812:Odorants; D011930:Reaction Time; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D055815:Young Adult