Skin conductance recovery and pupillometrics in chronic schizophrenia.
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Acetylcholine↗
Biomedical subjects
T Patterson
Publications and source records attributed to T Patterson.
An analysis of the skin conductance orienting response in samples of American, British, and German schizophrenics.
The existing literature dealing with the phasic orienting response (OR) in schizophrenia, examining, for the most part, the skin conductance component (SCOR), reports conflicting results with divergent implications for the nature of the attentional dysfunction in these patients. The present authors have contributed to that literature and to its divergencies. The present report addresses this issue by applying a common set of response definitions and uniform statistical-analytic procedures to the previously gathered electrodermal data obtained independently in each author's laboratory. A total of 14 studies is involved, drawn from six laboratories in the U.S.A., the U.K., and West Germany. Collectively, these studies examine chronic and acute schizophrenics, males and females, those receiving neuroleptic drugs and those not receiving them, recording SCOR from either (or both) hands using a variety of instruments and somewhat differing instructions and conditions, to both auditory and visual stimuli of different intensities and rise-time properties. The authors' purpose is two-fold. First, to determine whether some 'universal' dysfunction can be demonstrated across laboratories, conditions, and samples. Given the heterogeneous origins of these data such a finding would offer fairly strong evidence of 'real' dysfunction in schizophrenia. Second, where disagreement exists, to describe the scope and nature of the disagreement, and to articulate more clearly the findings on each side of a disputed area. One such 'universal' dysfunction emerged. Consistently, schizophrenics displayed an abnormally high incidence of nonresponsiveness, involving nearly 50% of the schizophrenic sample on average. The next most common finding is that many of the schizophrenics who display an SCOR often habituate faster than do nonschizophrenic responders. This was seen in a majority of the studies and laboratories, but conflicting evidence was presented by a minority. Evidence for a dysfunction simultaneously involving SCOR hypo- and hyper-responsiveness within schizophrenia was obtained, but in a minority of studies. The possible effects of neuroleptic drugs, stimulus intensity and rise-time factors, and differential significance evaluation on these findings was discussed. The possibility that schizophrenic dysfunction involves the input-facilitating OR but not input-attenuating 'protective' responses is examined. The correlates of hyporesponsiveness in schizophrenia, including physiological response patterns, clinical symptom patterns, and specific input deficiencies, is also examined. Several areas are noted where systematic research has only begun, and further study is particularly needed.
Adolescent↗
Effects of chronic stress on beta-adrenergic receptors in the homeless.
This study examined the role of chronic life stress (homelessness), coping style, and hypertension on beta-adrenergic receptors in a sample of homeless men. Sixteen healthy normotensive subjects and nine untreated hypertensive subjects were studied. Life stress was measured with the Brown and Harris categorization; coping style was measured with the Ways of Coping Scale. Lymphocyte beta-adrenergic receptors were characterized in terms of receptor density (Bmax). Individuals with high life stress had lower Bmax (p < .005). In multiple regression analyses, 50% of the variance in Bmax was accounted for by life stress and coping style (p = .01). Receptor measures may be useful for characterizing the physiological response to continuing life adversity.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Plasma catecholamine and lymphocyte beta 2-adrenergic receptor alterations in elderly Alzheimer caregivers under stress.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of chronic stress on beta-adrenergic physiology in elderly spousal caregivers to Alzheimer patients. METHODS: Thirty-seven elderly spousal caregivers and matched noncaregiver controls (mean age 73 years, SD = 6) were studied. Life stress categorization (presence of marked threat) covering the previous 6 months was determined using a semistructured interview based on the Psychiatric Epidemiological Research Inventory and the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule. beta 2-adrenergic receptor sensitivity (isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation) and density were determined in lymphocytes. RESULTS: Caregivers with high life stress had higher plasma norepinephrine levels (p < .04) but no change in plasma cortisol. For beta-receptor sensitivity, 30% of the variance was accounted for by high life stress rating, increased age, being male, and lower norepinephrine (p = .018); 17% of the variance in beta-receptor density was accounted for by plasma norepinephrine (p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate that chronic high stress may be associated with changes in adrenergic physiology and may provide a mechanism through which chronic stress alters cellular immunity.
Adult↗
Vulnerable caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease have a deficit in circulating CD62L- T lymphocytes.
OBJECTIVE: The cell adhesion molecule, L-selectin (CD62L), serves a crucial role in the migration of naive T lymphocytes and is typically shed on cell activation. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of chronic stress on L-selectin expression on peripheral lymphocytes in elderly spousal caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: Twenty caregivers (mean age, 73.5 years) had their lymphocytes and catecholamine levels sampled at rest and in response to an acute psychological stressor. Ten of the caregivers were classified as susceptible or "vulnerable" based on the large amount of care required by the patient relative to the amount of respite the caregiver received during the previous 6 months. RESULTS: At rest, vulnerable caregivers had 60% fewer L-selectin negative CD8+ T cells (CD8+CD62L-) (p=.01) but no difference in CD8+CD62L+ cells. Vulnerable caregivers also showed significantly fewer CD4+CD62L- T lymphocytes (p=.04) but no difference in CD4+CD62L+ lymphocytes. Resting plasma epinephrine levels were 44% higher in vulnerable caregivers as compared with nonvulnerable caregivers (p=.01). The acute stressor increased circulating levels of CD8+CD62L- and CD8+CD62L+ lymphocytes and catecholamines similarly in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that caregivers who are more vulnerable to the chronic stress of caregiving show a decrement in circulating CD62L- T lymphocytes, possibly by adrenomedullary activation. The data also suggest the identity of lymphocyte subsets that may underlie prior observations of immunologic decrements associated with the chronic stress of caregiving.
Aged↗
The influence of HIV-related support groups on survival in women who lived with HIV. A pilot study.
To determine the effect of support groups on survival, the authors retrospectively studied 21 HIV-seropositive women who died during the course of participation in a natural history study of HIV. Groups were composed of women who self-selected HIV support groups before death (n = 11) and a comparison group (n = 10). Survival analysis found group participation to be associated with increased longevity (73 months vs. 45 months; P = 0.011). Proportional-hazards regression demonstrated that HIV-related support groups and smaller family size significantly influenced survival (P = 0.0002). Factors related to group participation and ways in which support groups might promote longevity are discussed.
Adaptation, Psychological↗