title: Changes in the amygdala produced by viewing strabismic eyes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to look for the response to strabismus images in the limbic network (amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampus) of healthy volunteers and to compare it with their reaction to viewing normal eyes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one healthy volunteers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Functional magnetic resonance imaging data and blood oxygen level-dependent signal changes were analyzed using the BrainVoyager QX software package (Brain Innovation, Maastricht, The Netherlands).
  
  
  METHODS
  Responses to viewing strabismus images were compared with those observed while viewing normal eye images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Strabismus images led to significant activation of the amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampal, and fusiform gyri in 30 of 31 subjects compared with normal eye images, indicating a negative emotional response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These fMRI results confirm that strabismus influences organically not only the patient with nonparallel eyes but also observers. Treatment of strabismus therefore changes the interpersonal dynamic for patients with strabismus on a demonstrable organic basis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuro-radiology, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jatta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berberat
authors.forename: Gregor P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Jaggi
authors.forename: Frederick M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Remonda
authors.forename: Hanspeter E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Killer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013285:Strabismus / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*