TY - JOUR PY - 2006// TI - Decoupling neural networks from reality: dissociative experiences in torture victims are reflected in abnormal brain waves in left frontal cortex JO - Psychological science A1 - Ray, William J. A1 - Odenwald, Michael A1 - Neuner, Frank A1 - Schauer, Maggie A1 - Ruf, Martina A1 - Wienbruch, Christian A1 - Rockstroh, Brigitte A1 - Elbert, Thomas SP - 825 EP - 829 VL - 17 IS - 10 N2 - From a neuroscience perspective, little is known about the long-term effect of torture. Dissociative experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder are often the results of this experience. We examined psychological dissociation within a group of 23 torture victims and report its manifestations within neural networks in the human brain. In particular, we observed that dissociative experiences are associated with slow abnormal brain waves generated in left ventrolateral frontal cortex. Given that focal slow waves often result from depriving neural networks of major input, the present results may indicate decoupling of frontal affective processors from left cortical language areas. This interpretation is consistent with the fact that disturbed access to structured verbal memory concerning traumatic events is a core feature of the dissociative experience.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0956-7976 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01788.x ID - ref1 ER -