The effect of temporal lobe surgery on electrodermal activity: implications for an organic hypothesis in the aetiology of schizophrenia

Abstract

SynopsisIt has recently been suggested that the bilateral asymmetry of electrodermal activity (EDA) reported in schizophrenia may be related to unilateral temporal lobe dysfunction. To test this hypothesis, 3 aspects of EDA – skin conductance level (SCL), number of spontaneous fluctuations (SF), and skin conductance response (SCR) – were measured bilaterally in 10 patients who had undergone unilateral temporal lobectomy. No differences could be detected between the operated and non-operated sides within the patient group, nor between the patient and control groups. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Orienting Response Research in Schizophrenia: Where We Have Come and Where We Might Go

“…In general, however, one must be cautious in reading asymmetry of brain function from peripheral systems. For example, Toone et al (1979) found no lesion-associated changes in SCR after unilateral hippocampal or amygdaloid ablation for epilepsy. EEG evidence seems more ambiguous, with some studies reporting it and some not (even in the same laboratory—Bernstein et al 1985 a ).…”

Orienting Response Research in Schizophrenia: Where We Have Come and Where We Might Go

“…In general, however, one must be cautious in reading asymmetry of brain function from peripheral systems. For example, Toone et al (1979) found no lesion-associated changes in SCR after unilateral hippocampal or amygdaloid ablation for epilepsy. EEG evidence seems more ambiguous, with some studies reporting it and some not (even in the same laboratory—Bernstein et al 1985 a ).…”

Orienting Response Research in Schizophrenia: Where We Have Come and Where We Might Go

“…In general, however, one must be cautious in reading asymmetry of brain function from peripheral systems. For example, Toone et al (1979) found no lesion-associated changes in SCR after unilateral hippocampal or amygdaloid ablation for epilepsy. EEG evidence seems more ambiguous, with some studies reporting it and some not (even in the same laboratory—Bernstein et al 1985 a ).…”

Orienting Response Research in Schizophrenia: Where We Have Come and Where We Might Go

“…In general, however, one must be cautious in reading asymmetry of brain function from peripheral systems. For example, Toone et al (1979) found no lesion-associated changes in SCR after unilateral hippocampal or amygdaloid ablation for epilepsy. EEG evidence seems more ambiguous, with some studies reporting it and some not (even in the same laboratory—Bernstein et al 1985 a ).…”