Abstract

The authors examined the hypothesis that rhesus monkeys with extreme fight frontal electroencephalographic activity would have higher cortisol levels and would be more fearful compared with monkeys with extreme left frontal activity. The authors first showed that individual differences in asymmetric frontal electrical activity are a stable characteristic. Next, the authors demonstrated that relative fight asymmetric frontal activity and cortisol levels are correlated in animals 1 year of age. Additionally, extreme fight frontal animals had elevated cortisol concentrations and more intense defensive responses. At 3 years of age, extreme fight frontal animals continued to have elevated cortisol concentrations. These findings demonstrate important relations among extreme asymmetric frontal electrical activity, cortisol levels, and trait-like fear-related behaviors in young rhesus monkeys.
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Authors

Ned H. Kalin
Christine L Larson
Steven E. Shelton
Richard J. Davidson