Abstract
Six right- and six left-handed subjects were run in a repeated measures design to determine the influences of alcohol on hemiretina detection thresholds. Stimuli were presented tachistoscopically to the hemiretinae at blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0, 50, and 100 mg%. The nasal hemiretinae had higher thresholds than the temporal hemiretinae and this difference was independent of alcohol. Alcohol interacted with visual field and handedness. The results showed that the highest alcohol dose (100 mg%) raised detection thresholds more for the hemifield contralateral to the subject's preferred hand than the ipsilateral hemifield. Results are discussed in terms of lateral dominance and attention.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Begleiter, H., Platz, A.: The effects of alcohol on the central nervous system in humans. In: The biology of alcoholism, vol. 2, Physiology and behavior, Kissin, B. and Begleiter, H., eds., pp. 293–343. New York: Plenum Press 1972
Bryden, M. P.: Tachistoscopic recognition, handedness, and cerebral dominance. Neuropsychologia 3, 1–8 (1965)
Bryden, M. P.: Perceptual asymmetry in vision: relation to handedness, eyedness, and speech lateralization. Cortex 9, 419–435 (1973)
Chandler, B. C., Parsons, O. A.: Altered hemispheric functioning under alcohol. J. Stud. Alcohol 38, 381–391 (1977)
Dimond, S. J., Beaumont, J. G.: Hemisphere function and vigilance. Q. J. Exp. Psychol. 23, 443–448 (1971)
Hamilton, P., Copeman, A.: The effect of alcohol and noise on components of a tracking and monitoring task. Br. J. Psychol. 61, 149–156 (1970)
Haydon, S. P., Spellacy, F. J.: Monaural reaction time asymmetries for speech and non-speech sounds. Cortex 9, 288–294 (1973)
Hines, D., Satz, P.: Cross-modal asymmetries in perception related to asymmetry in cerebral function. Neuropsychologia 12, 239–247 (1974)
Kimura, D.: Dual functional asymmetry of the brain in visual perception. Neuropsychologia 4, 275–285 (1966)
Levitt, R. A.: Psychopharmacology. A biological approach. New York-London-Sydney-Toronto: John Wiley & Sons 1975
Lewis, E. G., Dustman, R. E., Beck, E. C.: The effects of alcohol on sensory phenomena and cognitive and motor tasks. Q. J. Stud. Alcohol 30, 618–633 (1969)
Lewis, E. G., Dustman, R. E., Beck, E. C.: The effects of alcohol on visual and somato-sensory evoked responses. Electroencephalogr. Clin. Neurophysiol. 28, 202–205 (1970)
Luria, S. M.: Visual masking, handedness, and laterality. Percept. Mot. Skills 38, 803–811 (1974)
Milner, B.: Interhemispheric differences and psychological processes. Br. Med. Bull. 27, 272–277 (1971)
Robinson, D. N., Strandburg, R.: Differences in inter-hemispheric variance in brain responses of attentive and inattentive human subjects. Percept. Mot. Skills 36, 1099–1102 (1973)
Wallgren, H., Barry, H.: Actions of alcohol, vol. 1, Biochemical, physiological and psychological aspects. New York: Elsevier 1970
White, M. J.: Laterality differences in perception: a review. Psychol. Bull. 72, 387–405 (1969)
White, M. J.: Hemispheric asymmetries in tachistoscopic information-processing. Br. J. Psychol. 63, 497–508 (1972)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Damkot, D.K., Frysinger, R.C. Alcohol influence on hemisphere differences and signal detection thresholds. Psychopharmacology 56, 173–177 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431845
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431845