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Global–local visual processing in posttraumatic stress disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2004

JENNIFER J. VASTERLING ,
LISA M. DUKE ,
HOLLY TOMLIN ,
NATASHA LOWERY  and
EDITH KAPLAN
JENNIFER J. VASTERLING
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
LISA M. DUKE
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
HOLLY TOMLIN
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
NATASHA LOWERY
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
EDITH KAPLAN
Affiliation:
Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine a behavioral index of hemispheric asymmetry (i.e., visual hierarchical attention) in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disorder characterized by anxiety and other emotional symptoms. A reaction time based, computerized, global–local visual paradigm was administered to 26 PTSD-diagnosed and 22 psychopathology-free right-handed, male Vietnam War zone veterans. Results indicated that PTSD-diagnosed veterans displayed slower reaction times to all targets than the no-mental disorders comparison sample. However, findings also revealed a Group × Target location interaction in which the PTSD group was slower than the no-disorders comparison sample to respond to local, but not global, targets. Moreover, relative global bias was greater among PTSD-diagnosed veterans than their no-diagnosis counterparts. Findings provide partial support for the hypothesis that PTSD may be associated with a functional cerebral asymmetry favoring the right hemisphere. (JINS, 2004, 10, 709–718.)

Keywords

PTSDNeuropsychologyAttentionLateralityAsymmetry
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 10 , Issue 5 , September 2004 , pp. 709 - 718
Copyright
2004 The International Neuropsychological Society

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