NEUROENDOCRINE BRAIN ASYMMETRY AND PHYSICAL COMPLAINTS

It was examined whether there is an association between physical healt h and alterations of normal brain asymmetry in cerebral control of neu roendocrine activity. In particular, it was studied whether right-hand ed subjects showing a high amount of physical complaints and recurrent diseases differ in direction and degree of brain asymmetry in cerebra l control of cortisol secretion from subjects with only few physical c omplaints. Lateralized brain activation was achieved by presenting an emotionally aversive film to the subjects' left or right visual hemifi eld, using a technique for lateralizing visual input that allows prolo nged viewing while permitting free ocular scanning. Results revealed a clear association between a high degree of physical complaints and al tered brain asymmetry in cerebral control of neuroendocrine activity.