Localization of asymmetric brain function in emotion and depression

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2009.00958.x
• Publication Date: 2010-01-11T18:40:23Z
• Authors: John D. Herrington; Wendy Heller; Aprajita Mohanty; Anna S. Engels; Marie T. Banich; Andrew G. Webb; Gregory A. Miller
• Keywords: Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; Stimulus (psychology); Dorsolateral; Trait; Frontal cortex; Depression

Although numerous EEG studies have shown that depression is associated with abnormal functional asymmetries in frontal cortex, fMRI and PET largely failed to identify specific brain areas showing this effect. The present study tested the hypothesis emotion processes are related asymmetric patterns of activity, particularly within dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Eleven depressed 18 control participants identified color which pleasant, neutral, unpleasant words were printed. Both groups showed a leftward lateralization for pleasant DLPFC. In neighboring DLPFC area, group more right-lateralized activation than controls, replicating findings. These data confirm emotional stimulus processing trait functions distinct subregions may go undetected unless appropriate analytic procedures used.