β-Adrenergic Contributions to Emotion and Physiology During an Acute Psychosocial Stressor.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

β-Adrenergic receptor signaling, a critical mediator of sympathetic nervous system influences on physiology and behavior, has long been proposed as one contributor to subjective stress. However, prior findings are surprisingly mixed about whether β-blockade (e.g., propranolol) blunts subjective stress, with many studies reporting no effects. We reevaluated this question in the context of an acute psychosocial stressor with more comprehensive measures and a larger-than-typical sample. We also examined the effects of β-blockade on psychophysiological indicators of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system reactivity, given that β-blockade effects for these measures specifically under acute psychosocial stress are not yet well established.

Methods

In a double-bli

SUBMITTER: MacCormack JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8603364 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov-Dec 01

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature