Psychophysiology · 1988 · 45 citations · 18 references
Life SciencesNeurosciencePsychiatryBehavioral NeuroscienceNeurophysiologyPsychophysiologyAutonomic Nervous SystemElectrodermal ActivitySchizophrenia Spectrum DisordersAutonomic Nervous System AssessmentAutonomic Nervous System ChangesAutonomic Nervous System DysfunctionElectrodermal Activity AnalysisLateral VentriclesPhasic Electrodermal ActivityThird Ventricle Anatomy
ABSTRACT Using a subsample of subjects from the Copenhagen schizophrenia high‐risk project, we investigated the relationship between enlargement of the third ventricle and phasic electrodermal activity, as measured by amplitude and frequency of responses to orienting, unconditioned, conditioned, and generalization stimuli. Subjects with enlarged third ventricles evidenced significant overall reductions in amplitude and frequency of response, and significantly lower response levels to orienting, conditioned, and generalization stimuli. These effects were independent of psychiatric diagnosis and enlargement of the lateral cerebral ventricles. Difficulties in interpretation posed by the index of atrophy employed and by the 18‐year time interval between the electrodermal and brain measures are discussed. The results are presented as a preliminary indication of an association between third ventricle enlargement and reduced autonomic nervous system activity.
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