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Experimental & Translational Stroke Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research

Gender-related asymmetric brain vasomotor response to color stimulation: a functional transcranial Doppler spectroscopy study

Author: Philip C Njemanze

Published in: Experimental & Translational Stroke Medicine | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Background and Purpose

The present study was designed to examine the effects of color stimulation on cerebral blood mean flow velocity (MFV) in men and women.

Methods

The study included 16 (8 men and 8 women) right-handed healthy subjects. The MFV was recorded simultaneously in both right and left middle cerebral arteries in Dark and white Light conditions, and during color (Blue, Yellow and Red) stimulations, and was analyzed using functional transcranial Doppler spectroscopy (f TCDS) technique.

Results

Color processing occurred within cortico-subcortical circuits. In men, wavelength-differencing of Yellow/Blue pairs occurred within the right hemisphere by processes of cortical long-term depression (CLTD) and subcortical long-term potentiation (SLTP). Conversely, in women, frequency-differencing of Blue/Yellow pairs occurred within the left hemisphere by processes of cortical long-term potentiation (CLTP) and subcortical long-term depression (SLTD). In both genders, there was luminance effect in the left hemisphere, while in men it was along an axis opposite (orthogonal) to that of chromatic effect, in women, it was parallel.

Conclusion

Gender-related differences in color processing demonstrated a right hemisphere cognitive style for wavelength-differencing in men, and a left hemisphere cognitive style for frequency-differencing in women. There are potential applications of f TCDS technique, for stroke rehabilitation and monitoring of drug effects.

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Title: Gender-related asymmetric brain vasomotor response to color stimulation: a functional transcranial Doppler spectroscopy study
Author: Philip C Njemanze
Publication date: 01-12-2010
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Experimental & Translational Stroke Medicine / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 2040-7378
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2040-7378-2-21

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Gender-related asymmetric brain vasomotor response to color stimulation: a functional transcranial Doppler spectroscopy study

Abstract

Background and Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background and Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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