The following is from a Powerpoint presentation:

The Startle Reflex:
A Measure of Emotion and “Attention”

John J. Curtin, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin, Madison

Response matching hypothesis

Startle reflex is a defensive response

The magnitude of the reflex is INCREASED when the organism is fearful (fear potentiated startle; FPS)

The magnitude of the reflex is DECREASED when the organism is “feeling good”***

Measurement of the startle reflex:

Elicited with brief burst of white noise (“startle probe”) presented over headphones

Eyeblink response is indexed by recording electrical activity in the orbicularis oculi muscle.

In one experiment participants were presented with words projected on a screen.

The following words did not produce a startle response:

head

neck

but these words did:

bear

tiger

Lateral preference in post-traumatic stress disorder

B. SPIVAK a1 , M. SEGAL a1 , R. MESTER a1 and A. WEIZMAN a1 c1
a1 From the Research Unit, Ness Ziona Mental Health Center, Ness Ziona; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv; Flugelman (Mazra) Psychiatric Hospital, Ashrat; Research Unit, Gehah Psychiatric Hospital and Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva, Israel

Abstract

Background. We assessed lateral preference in 80 male patients with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in 100 healthy age-matched male controls.

Methods. Hand, foot, eye and ear preferences were examined, using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory-Modified and the Coren Inventory of Lateral Preference.

Results. Mixed lateral preference was noted in significantly more PTSD patients than controls (65 v. 43%, P<0·005).

Conclusions. These results indicate a possible hemispheric imbalance (less lateralization) in PTSD patients, with the right hemisphere playing a more active role in perceptual and cognitive processing and in the regulation of biological responses in these patients. This imbalance may be relevant to the pathophysiology of PTSD.

Correspondence:

c1 Address for correspondence: Dr Abraham Weizman, Gehah Psychiatric Hospital, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva 49100, Israel.


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