Left frontal cortical activation and spreading of alternatives: tests of the action-based model of dissonance.

The action-based model of dissonance predicts that following decisional commitment, approach-oriented motivational processes occur to assist in translating the decision into effective and unconflicted behavior. Therefore, the modulation of these approach-oriented processes should affect the degree to which individuals change their attitudes to be more consistent with the decisional commitment (spreading of alternatives). Experiment 1 demonstrated that a neurofeedback-induced decrease in relative left frontal cortical activation, which has been implicated in approach motivational processes, caused a reduction in spreading of alternatives.

Effect of bipolar disorder on left frontal cortical responses to goals differing in valence and task difficulty.

Background: The behavioral activation system (BAS) dysregulation theory of bipolar disorder predicts that bipolar individuals will show an excessive increase in approach motivation during reward striving. Building on past research showing that the left frontal cortical region is involved in approach motivation, we predicted that individuals with bipolar disorder would evidence increased relative left frontal cortical activity in response to goal striving, particularly in response to positive challenges.

Methods: Right-handed individuals (age 18-24) with a bipolar spectrum diagnosis (n = 41) and individuals with no major affective psychopathology (n = 53) were presented with cues indicating that, on a given trial, an easy, medium, or hard anagram (scrambled word) would be presented in 7 seconds and that they would receive money or avoid losing money for the correct solution (10 anagrams of each of the 6 types).

The effect of manipulated sympathy and anger on left and right frontal cortical activity.

The present research extended past research demonstrating that approach-motivated anger is associated with greater left than right frontal cortical activity. Because past research had examined difference scores between left and right frontal activity, it was unable to test whether approach-motivated anger increased left activity, decreased right activity, or both. In addition, the present research examined a potential moderator of the effect of insult on left frontal activity.

Anger, coping, and frontal cortical activity: The effect of coping potential on anger-induced left frontal activity.

The present research tested whether relative left midfrontal cortical activity would be greater when individuals believed they could engage in behaviour to ameliorate an anger-inducing situation as compared to when they believed they could do nothing. The research also examined whether relative left midfrontal cortical activity would relate to behaviors aimed at ameliorating the anger-inducing situation, when individuals believed they could do something. To test these primary hypotheses, university students who were opposed to a tuition increase at their university were exposed to a pilot radio editorial that argued for increased tuition, and their electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, self-reported emotions, and behavioural responses were then collected.

Proneness to hypomania/mania symptoms or depression symptoms and asymmetrical frontal cortical responses to an anger-evoking event.

The behavioral approach system (BAS) reflects the propensity to respond to signals of reward, including stimuli associated with safety and goal-oriented attack (e.g., anger).

State anger and prefrontal brain activity: evidence that insult-related relative left-prefrontal activation is associated with experienced anger and aggression.

Research has demonstrated that left-prefrontal cortical activity is associated with positive affect, or approach motivation, and that right-prefrontal cortical activity is associated with negative affect, or withdrawal motivation. In past research, emotional valence (positive-negative) has been confounded with motivational direction (approach-withdrawal), such that, for instance, the only emotions examined were both positive and approach related. Recent research has demonstrated that trait anger, a negative but approach-related emotion, is associated with increased left-prefrontal and decreased right-prefrontal activity, suggesting that prefrontal asymmetrical activity is associated with motivational direction and not emotional valence.

Foveal drusen resorption one year after perifoveal laser photocoagulation.

"Soft" drusen maculopathy is an important precursor of exudative and atrophic macular degeneration. Resorption of soft drusen at the macula in response to laser photocoagulation has been demonstrated previously. The case described in this article is unique because it documents progression of soft drusen maculopathy prior to laser and shows a better visual and morphologic result than in previous studies.

Indentation laser photocoagulation of peripheral retinal neovascularization.

The treatment of peripheral retinal neovascularization by laser photocoagulation is an accepted technique. One of its limitations is the difficulty in photocoagulating retinal neovascularization that has become even slightly elevated from the underlying pigment epithelium. The failure to close the neovascular frond and the production of a vitreous hemorrhage are the complications from the direct photocoagulation of elevated neovascularization.

Laser photocoagulation with biomicroscopic scleral indentation.

The treatment of peripheral retinal tears by laser photocoagulation is an accepted technique. One of its limitations is its difficulty in use near the ora serrata. The inability to treat the anterior border of a rentinal tear may allow the tear to progress to clinical retinal detachment despite treatment of the tear's posterior and lateral borders.

Vitreous base classification of retinal tears: clinical application.

The abundant data about retinal tears has shown that they are prevalent in the general population and that the vast majority of retinal tears do not lead to retinal detachment. What remains to be clarified are the criteria for identifying the few retinal breaks which require prophylactic surgery to prevent their progression to retinal detachment. Numerous reports have identified clinical features which correlate with the risk the retinal detachment.

Diabetic macular edema in juvenile- and adult-onset diabetes.

A retrospective study of 103 patients referred because of diabetic retinopathy graded the degree of maculopathy on the basis of fluorescein angiography. Patients with juvenile-onset diabetes (that is, onset before the age of 40 years), had a higher rate of neovascularization of the disk or retina at early stages of maculopathy than patients with adult-onset diabetes. Greater capillary closure at each degree of maculopathy in the group with juvenile-onset diabetes may explain this difference.

Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy associated with cerebral vasculitis and homonymous hemianopia.

An 18-year-old man developed acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy and homonymous hemianopia. Cerebral angiography showed cerebral vasculitis probably with occipital infarction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case with such concomitant visual defects.

Amelanotic small flat lesions of the choroid.

On routine examination, three patients demonstrated yellow-white lesions in the posterior third of the fundus. These lesions have a subtle but unique appearance. They are in the choroid and have definite borders, minimal or no elevation, a lack of secondary changes in the overlying pigment epithelium or neuroepithelium, and no pigment within the lesion or at its borders.

Conjunctival adnexal cysts and dermoids.

Of 128 cysts diagnosed clinically and pathologically as epidermoids and dermoids, 12 lesions were discovered that were lined by nonkeratinizing squamous epithelium with variable numbers of admixed goblet cells. Five lesions did not contain any adnexal structures in their walls and were designated as simple conjunctival cysts; seven lesions additionally displayed appendages in their walls and were diagnosed as conjunctival dermoids. Clinically, this group of 12 cysts differed from classic epidermoids and dermoids by their overwhelming superomedial location and absence of associated osseous defects.

Lymphoid lesions of the conjunctiva: relation of histopathology to clinical outcome.

A retrospective clinicopathologic study of 40 patients with lymphoid lesions of the conjunctiva demonstrated the validity of current histologic criteria in predicting clinical outcome. Overall histologic architecture as well as cytologic detail must be used to differentiate benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasia from lymphoma. Lesions verified clinically as being malignant had obvious malignant cytologic features.

Clinical manifestations of brawny scleritis.

We studied four patients with posterior brawny scleritis. Two underwent enucleation for suspected melanoma, and in the other two, the correct diagnosis was made and effective therapy begun. Of seven other eyes with brawny scleritis from other sources, five were enucleated after diagnosis of choroidal melanoma and one for suspected intraocular tumor.

Spontaneous lens rupture following pars plana vitrectomy.

This paper presenta a case of pars plana vitrectomy with spontaneous posterior lens capsule rupture 7 weeks after surgery and 1 week after discontinuation of cycloplegia. The diagnosis, treatment, sequelae, and etiology of this spontaneous lens rupture receive discussion. The accommodative mechanism in the postvitrectomy eye may explain the cause of lens rupture and suggest methods of prophylaxis.