Florence Hagenmuller

Publications (2)3.86 Total impact

• Article: [Impaired resonance in offenders with psychopathic traits].

  Florence Hagenmuller, Wulf Rössler, Jérôme Endrass, Astrid Rossegger, Helene Haker
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  ABSTRACT: Resonance is the phenomenon of unconsciously mirroring the motor actions of another person. Beside autism and schizophrenia psychopathic personality traits are associated with empathy dysfunction. We explore empathic resonance in terms of contagion by laughing and yawning in a group of offenders with psychopathic traits. Offenders with psychopathic traits (n = 12) and matched controls (n = 10) were video-taped while watching short video sequences of yawning, laughing or neutral faces. They were rated regarding contagion. Further, we assessed a self-report on psychopathy and on empathic tendencies. Compared to the control group, the offenders showed significantly less contagion and less self-reported empathic tendencies. Individuals who rated themselves as more empathic showed more contagion. The observed reduced resonance in terms of contagion may illuminate the cold-heartedness, with which some psychopathic offenders treat their victims: When embodied experiencing of other's physical and emotional situation is missing, a natural inhibition of violence may be overcome. The small sample size limits the generalisability of these findings.
  Neuropsychiatrie: Klinik, Diagnostik, Therapie und Rehabilitation: Organ der Gesellschaft Österreichischer Nervenärzte und Psychiater 01/2012; 26(2):65-71. · 1.38 Impact Factor
• Article: Determination of the loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials: single-electrode estimation versus dipole source analysis.

  Florence Hagenmuller, Konrad Hitz, Felix Darvas, Wolfram Kawohl
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  ABSTRACT: The loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP) has been described as a measure of central serotonergic activity. Single-electrode estimation and dipole source analysis (DSA) are the most utilized methods for the estimation of LDAEP. To date, it is assumed that both methods are equally reliable. Nevertheless, according to our knowledge, the advantage of either method has not yet been shown directly. The aim of our study was to compare single-electrode estimation and dipole source analysis in the determination of the LDAEP. Tones of five different intensities were presented binaurally to 10 healthy volunteers. Amplitudes of N1/P2 and LDAEP were determined at the central electrode site referenced to average and to linked mastoids and with DSA in the left and the right hemispheres. Scores were normalized (z-scores), compared, and correlated. Contrary to our expectations, we found a significant difference between scores obtained with single-electrode estimation and with DSA. The difference may be caused by confounding activation of a frontal source in the single-electrode method. The single-electrode approach cannot be equated with DSA in the determination of the LDAEP. This should be considered when comparing the results of different LDAEP studies using only one of these methods.
  Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental 03/2011; 26(2):147-54. · 2.48 Impact Factor