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Neural correlates of enhanced working-memory performance in dissociative disorder: a functional MRI study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2006

BERNET M. ELZINGA
Affiliation:
Section of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Leiden, The Netherlands
ANGELIQUE M. ARDON
Affiliation:
Parnassia Group, PsyQ, Psychomedical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands
MAAIKE K. HEIJNIS
Affiliation:
Parnassia Group, PsyQ, Psychomedical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands
MICHIEL B. De RUITER
Affiliation:
VU Psychology Department, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
RICHARD VAN DYCK
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
DICK J. VELTMAN
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Clinical PET Center, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract

Background. Memory functioning has been highlighted as a central issue in pathological dissociation. In non-pathological dissociation, evidence for enhanced working memory has been found, together with greater task-load related activity. So far, no imaging studies have investigated working memory in dissociative patients.

Method. To assess working memory in dissociative patients functional magnetic resonance imaging was used during performance of a parametric, verbal working-memory task in patients with a dissociative disorder (n=16) and healthy controls (n=16).

Results. Imaging data showed that both groups activated brain regions typically involved in working memory, i.e. anterior, dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), and parietal cortex. Dissociative patients showed more activation in these areas, particularly in the left anterior PFC, dorsolateral PFC and parietal cortex. In line with these findings, patients made fewer errors with increasing task load compared to controls, despite the fact that they felt more anxious and less concentrated during task performance.

Conclusions. These results extend findings in non-pathological high dissociative individuals, suggesting that trait dissociation is associated with enhanced working-memory capacities. This may distinguish dissociative patients from patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, who are generally characterized by impaired working memory.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press

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