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Using ECT to Study Hemispheric Specialization for Sequential Processes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

M. Horan ,
R. Ashton  and
J. Minto
M. Horan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Queensland, St, Lucia, Queensland, 4067, Australia
R. Ashton
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Queensland, St, Lucia, Queensland, 4067, Australia
J. Minto
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Queensland, St, Lucia, Queensland, 4067, Australia
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Summary

Two studies are reported, citing the effects of unilateral versus bilateral electroconvulsive shock therapy on the performance of short cognitive tests. In Study 1, seven tests were administered before and after three treatment sessions The most interesting finding was that performance improved significantly on the Knox Cube Imitation test following right unilateral shock. Study 2 replicated this unexpected finding. These results were interpreted as demonstrating that the left cerebral hemisphere is specialized for the processing of sequential time-dependent information.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 137 , Issue 2 , August 1980 , pp. 119 - 125
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1980 

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