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Improvement of a face perception deficit via sub-sensory galvanic vestibular stimulation

Wilkinson, David T., Ko, Philip, Kilduff, Patrick, McGlinchey, Regina, Milberg, William P. (2005) Improvement of a face perception deficit via sub-sensory galvanic vestibular stimulation. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 11 (7). pp. 925-929. ISSN 1355-6177. (doi:10.1017/S1355617705051076) (KAR id:4583)

Abstract

The remediative effect of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) was investigated in a patient who, following right hemisphere damage, is profoundly unable to recognize faces. We administered a two-alternative forced choice match-to-sample task in which the patient had to choose which of two faces matched a sample face presented directly above, while bipolar, transcutaneous Current was applied to the left and right Vestibular nerves at a level below the patient's sensory threshold. Performance improved beyond the chance-level observed prestimulation. and relied on reversing the electrode polarity across two separate blocks of trials. such that each mastoid received positive current for one block and then negative charge for the next. Although our study involved only a single case, the data provide preliminary evidence that a deficit in perceptual face matching can be reduced by GVS. This raises the intriguing possibility that other unilateral visual disorders may also respond in such a manner.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1017/S1355617705051076
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: C.A. Simms
Date Deposited: 09 Jun 2008 10:43 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:42 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/4583 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Wilkinson, David T..

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