The effects of alcohol on hemispheric functional asymmetry.

Kostandov, É. A.; Arsumanov, Y L; Genkina, O A; Restchikova, T N; Shostakovich, G. S.

doi:10.15288/jsa.1982.43.411

Cited by 25 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Under the influence of alcohol, however, this leftward bias is exaggerated, suggesting that ethanol exerts an asymmetric effect on the brain with increased suppression of left as opposed to right hemisphere function (Leone & McCourt, 2010). It should be added, though, that this interpretation is inconsistent with earlier evidence of alcohol selectively depressing right-hemisphere functioning (e.g., Kostandov, Arsumanov, Genkina, Restchikova, & Shostakovich, 1982;Rhodes, Obitz, & Creel, 1975).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

When alcohol narrows the field of focal attention

Harvey

2016

Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology

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The aim of this study was to measure the extent to which alcohol intoxication restricts the scope of attention in the visual field. A group of intoxicated (n = 31; mean BAC ≈ .08%) and placebo control (n = 31; mean BAC ≈ .00%) participants were required to correctly identify visual probes while performing two verbal categorization tasks: one designed to widen the scope of visual attention on to each stimulus word, the other to narrow attention on to the central letter of each word. Response times to surprise probes interpolated between categorization trials were measured and these catch trials could appear in any of the stimulus word letter positions. As predicted by alcohol myopia theory (AMT), which assumes that the drug narrows focal attention, intoxicated participants made slower responses than the sober controls to probes displayed in non-central letter positions, although right-field probe reaction times (RTs) were slower than those for left-field targets. This response asymmetry and the wider theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

When alcohol narrows the field of focal attention

Harvey

2016

Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology

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“…In addition, the alcoholics did not show normal asymmetrical ERP responses (i.e., the finding that RH amplitudes are normally greater than LH amplitudes; see also Zhang et al 1997). Similarly, Kostandov et al (1982) found abnormally long latencies and small amplitudes of the P300 component of the ERP in the RH of the alcoholics, whereas LH measures did not differ between the alcoholic and control groups.…”

Section: Hypothalamusmentioning

confidence: 88%

Alcohol: Effects on Neurobehavioral Functions and the Brain

2007

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Alcoholism results from an interplay between genetic and environmental factors, and is linked to brain defects and associated cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impairments. A confluence of findings from neuroimaging, physiological, neuropathological, and neuropsychological studies of alcoholics indicate that the frontal lobes, limbic system, and cerebellum are particularly vulnerable to damage and dysfunction. An integrative approach employing a variety of neuroscientific technologies is essential for recognizing the interconnectivity of the different functional systems affected by alcoholism. In that way, relevant experimental techniques can be applied to assist in determining the degree to which abstinence and treatment contribute to the reversal of atrophy and dysfunction.

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“…For example, during ethanol challenge the relative amplitude of visual evoked potentials is shifted in favor of the left hemisphere (Lewis et al, 1969; Rhodes et al, 1975; Sternberg et al, 1994); ethanol decreases the right hemisphere fMRI BOLD response to visual stimuli (Levin et al, 1998), and decreases right hemisphere regional cerebral blood flow (Wendt et al, 1994; but see Volkow et al, 1988). Ethanol selectively impairs perception of the “global” level of hierarchical patterns (Lamb & Robertson, 1987), increases choice reaction time (Chandler & Parsons, 1977; Poppel & Steinbach, 1986), and increases detection thresholds and inspection times for stimuli presented in the left visual field (Damkot & Frysinger, 1978; Kostandov et al, 1982). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of acute ethanol challenge on global visuospatial attention: Exaggeration of leftward bias in line bisection

Leone

McCourt

2010

Laterality: Asymmetries of Body, Brain and Cognition

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Acute alcohol challenge has been associated with a selective impairment of right hemisphere function. A hallmark of visuospatial neglect syndrome is that patients with right hemisphere lesions misbisect horizontal lines far rightward of veridical center. Neurologically intact subjects misbisect lines with a systematic leftward bias (pseudoneglect). Neuroimaging studies in neurologically intact subjects reveal predominant right hemisphere activation during performance of line bisection tasks. The current study assessed whether acute alcohol challenge alters global visuospatial attention. Subjects (N=18; 10 male; strongly right-handed; mean age=23 years) engaged in a forced-choice tachistoscopic line bisection task in both ethanol challenge (mean BAC=.077) and no ethanol control conditions. Mean leftward bisection error in the control challenge condition was −0.238 degrees visual angle (1.05% line length), and leftward bisection error significantly increased (p=.001) under ethanol challenge (−0.333 degrees visual angle, 1.47% line length). Mean bisection precision in the control condition was 0.358 degrees visual angle (1.58% line length); bisection precision significantly deteriorated (p=.008) under ethanol challenge (0.489 degrees, 2.17% line length). Decreased bisection precision indicates that ethanol disrupts the fidelity of visuospatial performance. The exaggerated leftward bisection error implies that ethanol may exert a differential effect on left versus right hemispheric function with respect to the control of global visuospatial attention.

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The effects of alcohol on hemispheric functional asymmetry.

Cited by 25 publications

References 13 publications

When alcohol narrows the field of focal attention

When alcohol narrows the field of focal attention

Alcohol: Effects on Neurobehavioral Functions and the Brain

The effect of acute ethanol challenge on global visuospatial attention: Exaggeration of leftward bias in line bisection

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