Blood glucose levels selectively influence memory for word lists dichotically presented to the right ear. 1995

P Y Parker, and D Benton
Department of Psychology, University of Wales--Swansea, U.K.

The relationship between performance on a dichotic listening task and blood glucose levels was examined. It was predicted that, if the ability of blood glucose to supply the brain with its basic fuel limits performance under conditions of cognitive demand, in a dichotic listening task information directed to the left hemisphere would be particularly susceptible to the level of blood glucose. Via headphones subjects heard lists of words directed to both ears, although randomly they were asked to attend to those directed to one ear. Those receiving a glucose drink recalled more of a list of words directed to the right ear and hence the left hemisphere. Subjects with low baseline blood glucose levels recalled more from the attended ear, and those with high baseline blood glucose more from the unattended ear. In those who received a glucose drink, a fail in blood glucose during the dichotic task was associated with a right ear superiority. The pattern of findings can be explained by the assumptions that under conditions of cognitive demand the supply of glucose to the brain limits performance and that there are individual differences in the ability to efficiently take glucose from the blood stream into the brain.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007839 Functional Laterality Behavioral manifestations of cerebral dominance in which there is preferential use and superior functioning of either the left or the right side, as in the preferred use of the right hand or right foot. Ambidexterity,Behavioral Laterality,Handedness,Laterality of Motor Control,Mirror Writing,Laterality, Behavioral,Laterality, Functional,Mirror Writings,Motor Control Laterality,Writing, Mirror,Writings, Mirror
D008568 Memory Complex mental function having four distinct phases: (1) memorizing or learning, (2) retention, (3) recall, and (4) recognition. Clinically, it is usually subdivided into immediate, recent, and remote memory.
D001786 Blood Glucose Glucose in blood. Blood Sugar,Glucose, Blood,Sugar, Blood
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D004007 Dichotic Listening Tests Tests for central hearing disorders based on the competing message technique (binaural separation). Dichotic Listening Test,Listening Test, Dichotic,Listening Tests, Dichotic,Test, Dichotic Listening,Tests, Dichotic Listening
D004423 Ear The hearing and equilibrium system of the body. It consists of three parts: the EXTERNAL EAR, the MIDDLE EAR, and the INNER EAR. Sound waves are transmitted through this organ where vibration is transduced to nerve signals that pass through the ACOUSTIC NERVE to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. The inner ear also contains the vestibular organ that maintains equilibrium by transducing signals to the VESTIBULAR NERVE. Vestibulocochlear System,Vestibulocochlear Apparatus,Apparatus, Vestibulocochlear,Ears,System, Vestibulocochlear
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001307 Auditory Perception The process whereby auditory stimuli are selected, organized, and interpreted by the organism. Auditory Processing,Perception, Auditory,Processing, Auditory

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