Sodium amytal testing and the laterality of emotion.

In this paper, the results of studies that have used the intracarotid sodium amytal (amobarbital) test to examine hemispheric lateralization of emotional expression has been reviewed. The important findings are that the emotional states are dissociated from the neurological effects (aphasia, hemiplegia), and occur later, when the electroencephalogram (EEG) is showing evidence of activation. The effects of left hemisphere barbiturization are less clear than those of the right hemisphere, and there is good concordance that the latter lead to states of alteration in mood or euphoria.