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Biomedical subjects

S E Levick

Publications and source records attributed to S E Levick.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Asymmetrical visual deprivation: a technique to differentially influence lateral hemispheric function.

This article describes a contact-lens method to sustain asymmetry in visual deprivation and the use of this method to test the general hypothesis that asymmetry in input deprivation can shift activation balance in the integrated brain, differentially influencing lateral hemispheric function. Effects of asymmetrical visual deprivation were as predicted on lateral asymmetry of EEG theta, producing more theta over the deprived hemisphere. Cross-modal influence of such visual deprivation was found in the perception of pleasantness of odors. An interaction was found between side of visual deprivation and performance on verbal reasoning and spatial orientation tasks. A line-bisection test of visual attention was not sensitive to the effects. Fatigue as rated on the Profile of Mood States was greatest when the left hemisphere was deprived.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

A multidimensional approach to the genetics of schizophrenia.

To determine which dimensions of psychopathology are associated with a greater liability to develop schizophrenia, the authors examined the case histories of 151 monozygotic probands from five twin studies. Proband twins from pairs concordant for schizophrenia had greater numbers of negative symptoms, poorer premorbid adjustment, fewer paranoid symptoms, and earlier ages at onset than probands from discordant pairs. In discriminant analyses, negative symptoms, premorbid social competence, and paranoid symptoms each contributed to the discrimination between concordant and discordant pairs. These results provide support for Strauss et al.'s suggestion that these three types of symptoms reflect three different functional processes in the development of schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Reversed hemispheric lateralization of cerebral function: a case study.

A case is presented of a right-handed man with a large left fronto-temporoparietal infarct which did not result in aphasia. He did, however, show a pattern of deficits in visuospatial/constructional, attentional, and affective functioning which is typically seen in patients with right hemisphere lesions. These findings are most parsimoniously explained by reversed hemispheric lateralization.

Affect↗
PubMed1985

The role of the idealizing transference in the treatment of psychotic patients.

A segment of the psychotherapy with a schizophrenic woman and her psychological testing are presented in this paper. The authors focus on the role of the idealizing transference, and illustrate how its operation, along with the mechanisms of fusion, basic trust, and narcissistic alliance, facilitates the process of therapeutically transforming this patient's object representations. Changes in her hallucinations and delusions reflected this process. The idealizing transference may be more generally applicable in the treatment of individuals with schizophrenic psychosis than was previously thought. Its importance lies in catalyzing changes in patient object representations, object relations, and psychotic symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

With onions and tears: a multidimensional analysis of a counter-ritual.

"Family rituals" and "family myths" are useful concepts for understanding some of the behavior of disturbed families and hence for planning therapeutic interventions. A case of a family of a schizophrenic patient is described in which a "counter-ritual" involving onion-peeling to induce tearing was invented. The intervention addressed the family's inappropriate laughter and denial of sadness and seemed to lead to therapeutic gains for the identified patient and the family. This counter-ritual, as an indirect affect-inducing experience, is analyzed from a variety of perspectives and a partial parallel is drawn to an Iranian cultural ritual. A suggestion is made that more light may be shed on the mechanisms and structures of myths and rituals in families by drawing on studies of myths and rituals in ethnography. "Counter-ritual"is offered as a general concept for a type of active family intervention that involves inventing and employing rituals antithetical to pathological ones engaged in by some families.

Adult↗