ASYMMETRICAL VISUAL DEPRIVATION - A TECHNIQUE TO DIFFERENTIALLY INFLUENCE LATERAL HEMISPHERIC FUNCTION

This article describes a contact-lens method to sustain asymmetry in v isual deprivation and the use of this method to test the general hypot hesis that asymmetry in input deprivation can shift activation balance in the integrated brain, differentially influencing lateral hemispher ic function. Effects of asymmetrical visual deprivation were as predic ted on lateral asymmetry of EEG theta, producing more theta over the d eprived hemisphere. Cross-modal influence of such visual deprivation w as found in the perception of pleasantness of odors. An interaction wa s found between side of visual deprivation and performance on verbal r easoning and spatial orientation tasks. A line-bisection test of visua l attention was not sensitive to the effects. Fatigue as rated on the Profile of Mood States was greatest when the left hemisphere was depri ved.