Does unilateral dopamine deficit contribute to depression?
Abstract A system of emotional control of behavior is believed to be lateralized to the right hemisphere. Given that dopaminergic pathways are involved in affective behavior, depression, which is recognized as an integral part of Parkinson's disease, may be associated with a dopamine imbalance. The present study examined this hypothesis in patients with unilateral symptomatology indicating either left hemisphere parkinsonism (LHP) or right hemisphere parkinsonism (RHP). Sixteen patients were tested on a battery of neuropsychological tests and several scales for evaluating mood. The two groups did not differ significantly on either cognitive or emotional measures. However, RHP patients rated themselves higher on the Present Scale of Cantril, and showed some neglect of the left visual field, as compared to LHP patients.
This article examines job performance and burnout in the workplace. A study is presented which analyzes the consequence of job burnout--specifically the relation of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced accomplishment to job satisfaction--the antecedents of burnout, and the developmental sequence of burnout. An overview of the methods of the study as well as suggestions for future research are provided. Particular focus is given to the implications of the study for burnout interventions.