Biomedical subjects

F Brambilla

Publications and source records attributed to F Brambilla.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Aggressive responding of male heroin addicts under methadone treatment: psychometric and neuroendocrine correlates.

Objective measures of experimentally-induced aggressiveness were evaluated in 20 methadone-treated heroin addicts, in comparison to 20 normal healthy male subjects. All the subjects were submitted to preliminary DSM IV interviews, Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI II). During a laboratory task, the point subtraction aggression paradigm (PSAP), subjects earned monetary reinforcers with repeated button presses, and were provoked by the subtraction of money, which was attributed to a fictitious other participants. Subjects could respond by ostensibly subtracting money from the fictitious subject (the aggressive response), or protecting their counter (escape response). Money-earning responses were significantly lower (t=4.38, P<0.001) and aggressive responses significantly higher (t=5.45; P<0.001) in methadone patients in comparison to controls. During the experimentally-induced aggressiveness, plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol (CORT) and growth hormone (GH) concentrations increased significantly less and norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) levels, together with heart rate (HR), significantly more in methadone subjects than in healthy subjects. PSAP aggressive responses positively correlated with catecholamines changes, BDHI 'direct' and 'irritability' scores, MMPI 'psychopathic deviate' scores both in methadone subjects and controls, and with CORT responses only in healthy subjects. No correlation was found between methadone doses, or exposure extent, and aggressiveness levels. Our findings suggest that heroin dependent patients have higher outward-directed aggressiveness than healthy subjects, in relationship with monoamines hyper-reactivity, also under methadone medication. Aggressiveness in methadone patients seems to be related more to the personality traits than to drug effects. Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses, unexpectedly dissociated from catecholamines rise among methadone patients, could be due to a long-lasting inhibitory action exerted by opiates on pro-opio-melanocortin (POMC), or to a premorbid psychobiological condition that exhausted hormonal reactivity.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Plasma concentrations of interleukin-1-beta, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and of their soluble receptors and receptor antagonist in anorexia nervosa.

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induce anorexia, and multiple behavioral and biochemical alterations that mimic those of anorexia nervosa. Reports in the literature, however, contain contrasting data on the pattern of secretion of the three cytokines and on the downstream activities of their receptors and receptor antagonists in anorexia nervosa. We measured plasma concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6-R), soluble TNF-alpha receptors I and II (s-TNF-alpha-R-I and II), and soluble IL-1beta receptor antagonist (s-IL-1beta-R-A) in 14 female patients with anorexia nervosa (nine restricters, five binge/purgers) and in 13 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects to see whether the circulating cytokine concentrations and the downstream steps of cytokine activity were impaired, and if these alterations were correlated with some aspects of the disease. Concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, s-TNF-alpha-R-I and -II and sIL-1beta-RA in plasma did not differ significantly in patients with anorexia nervosa compared with control subjects. Concentrations of sIL-6-R were significantly lower in the patients than in the control subjects, but there were no differences between the two sub-types of anorexia nervosa. The etiopathogenetic significance of the sIL-6-R alteration is not clear, but together with recent data in the literature on cytokine function, the finding suggests that an impairment of the pro-inflammatory cytokine pathway might be involved in the development of anorexia nervosa.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Social stress in anorexia nervosa: a review of immuno-endocrine relationships.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) patients have difficulty in establishing social contacts, leading to tension, anxiety and full-blown stress reactions. Stress hormones are chronically increased in AN, while immune function, which is involved in physical and psychological coping capacities, is mostly unimpaired. We examined immune function in a group of anorexics by measuring the T-lymphocyte proliferative response to stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), before and after in vivo acute administration of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), to mirror a stress reaction. The responses of anorexics, before and after CRH stimulation, did not differ from those of controls. In a second group of anorexics, we measured plasma concentrations of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) before and after psychopharmacological (fluoxetine, amineptine) therapy. Basal values of the cytokines were not different in patients and controls, and did not change during therapy. In the same patients, we measured basal concentrations of soluble IL-1 beta receptor antagonist (s-IL-1 beta-RA), soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6-R) and soluble TNF-alpha receptors I and II (sTNF-alpha-R-I and -II). S-IL-1 beta-RA and sTNF-alpha-R-I and -II levels were not different in patients and controls, while those of s-IL-6-R were lower than normal in anorexics. The normality of most of the immune parameters in our anorexics, in basal conditions, after a stressful stimulation and after pharmacological manipulation of neurotransmitters suggests that the well-known interrelation among immune, neuroendocrine and central nervous system functions is not maintained in AN, the immune system being somehow unresponsive to stimuli.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2001

Pivagabine effects on neuroendocrine responses to experimentally-induced psychological stress in humans.

Neuroendocrinology of chronic stress seems to be characterized by HPA axis hyperactivity and early childhood stressors have been hypothesized to predispose individuals to adult onset depression by means of dysregulation of the HPA axis. Pivagabine (PVG), a hydrophobic 4-aminobutyric acid derivative, has been used experimentally recently in the treatment of different disorders related to stress-maladaptation, because of its possible inhibitory action on corticotrophin releasing factor secretion and HPA axis function. In the present study, 20 healthy male subjects were each exposed twice to the same psychosocial stressor (stroop color-word interference task, public speaking and mental arithmetic in front of an audience) during a first session (day 1) and a second session (day 8). Plasma concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol (CORT), heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured immediately before the beginning of the tests and at their end, 30 min later, on both experimental days. Utilizing a double blind schedule, the subjects received pivagabine (900 mg, twice a day)(PVG group: nine subjects) or placebo (PBO group: 11 subjects) during the 7 days between the two stress sessions. NE, EPI, ACTH, and CORT levels were significantly elevated after stress exposure on day 1 and day 8 in PBO group subjects. After PVG treatment, on day 8, ACTH, CORT, NE and EPI responses to stress were significantly blunted, together with HR and SBP, in PVG group subjects. These results add to the evidence concerning PVG capacity to inhibit the HPA axis in humans, in response to stressful stimuli, and suggest that the action of PVG may be mediated not only by GABAergic receptors, but also by the suppression of catecholamines response. PVG treatment could modulate HPA hyper-responsiveness to stress in subjects with negative affectivity and depressive traits.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed2001

Neuroendocrine responses to experimentally-induced psychological stress in healthy humans.

Previous studies of hormonal and neurophysiological changes in response to psychological stress in humans have produced contrasting findings due to differing experimental procedures and consistent individual variability. Habituation effects, which influence physiological coping in response to exposure to repeated stress, need to be investigated more extensively. In the present study, twenty healthy male subjects were each exposed twice to the same psychosocial stressor (Stroop Color Word Interference task, public speaking and mental arithmetic in front of an audience) during a first session (day 1) and a second session (day 8). Plasma concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol (CORT) and prolactin (PRL) were measured immediately before the beginning of the tests and at their end, 30 min later, on both experimental days. For the total group, NE, EPI, ACTH, and CORT levels were significantly elevated, and PRL levels were significantly decreased, after stress exposure on day 1. ACTH and CORT levels showed less significant increases after stress on day 8. In contrast, NE and EPI responses to stress were not significantly blunted, and PRL response was unchanged on day 8. Cluster analysis revealed two groups of subjects who showed different habituation patterns for ACTH and CORT. The first group (n=12) of subjects showed a reduction of ACTH and CORT responses to stress on day 8. The subjects of the second group (n=8) displayed a significant increase of ACTH and cortisol in response to stress on day 8, without any habituation effect. These results increase the evidence concerning the involvement of the HPA axis and catecholamines in response to psychological stress, and suggest that possible individual differences in the neuroendocrine coping mechanisms may affect mood regulation and the state of health.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed2001

Central dopaminergic function in anorexia and bulimia nervosa: a psychoneuroendocrine approach.

Data on central dopamine (DA) function in patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN) are contradictory. To tentatively clarify the brain secretory state of the amine and its relationship with the nutritional impairments and/or the psychopathological aspects of the two disorders, we measured the responses of growth hormone (GH) to acute stimulation with apomorphine (APO), a selective D-1 and D-2 receptor agonist, in 16 AN patients, 8 restricted (AN-R) and 8 bingeing-purging (AN-BP), in 7 BN patients and in 8 healthy controls (CTR). Interference of impairment of the somatotropic axis in the GH response to APO stimulation was excluded by measuring the GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) basal levels and GH responses to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulation. Psychological aspects of patients and controls were investigated by the rating scales Eating Disorder Inventory (E.D.I.), Bulimic Investigation Test Edinburgh (B.I.T.E)., and Yale-Brown Cornell Eating Disorder Scale (YBC-ED). Basal GH levels were significantly higher and those of IGF-1 lower in AN-R than in AN-BP, BN and CTR subjects. GH responses to GHRH stimulation were significantly higher in AN-R than in AN-BP and BN patients and in CTR. GH responses to APO stimulation were significantly lower in AN-R and AN-BP than in BN and CTR subjects, suggesting that at the hypothalamic level there is a subsensitivity of postsynaptic D-2 receptors and possibly a presynaptic DA hypersecretion. The altered GH responses to APO stimulation did not correlate with the Body Mass Index, while they correlated negatively with E.D.I. scores.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Neurotransmitter and hormonal background of hostility in anorexia nervosa.

Marked hostility toward relatives, therapists and friends is very frequently observed in anorexia nervosa (AN) as expression of outward-directed aggressiveness which interferes with the therapeutic programs of the patients. With the purpose to investigate this aspect of the disorder and its biological background, we studied in anorexics some neurotransmitter-hormonal secretions which are known to modulate aggressivity-hostility by measuring plasma concentrations of total (TT) and free testosterone (FT), total estrogens (TE), the TT/E and FT/TE ratios, and the serotonergic function by measuring basal prolactin (PRL) levels and responses to stimulation with the specific serotonin (5-HT)-releasing agent D-fenfluramine (D-Fen). In 13 women with AN, 5 of the restricted (AN-R) and 8 of the bingeing/purging type (AN-BP) in an active phase of the disease, and in 13 healthy controls matched for sex and age, we measured hostility by the SCL-90 scale (subscale items 11, 24, 63, 67, 74, 81). Basal TT, FT, TE, TT/TE, FT/TE, PRL values and PRL responses to D-Fen and to saline administration were measured radioimmunologically in AN patients and controls. Hostility was significantly higher in AN patients than in controls, TT, FT and TE concentrations were significantly lower in AN patients than in controls, TT/TE ratio was significantly higher in AN patients than in controls, and FT/TE ratio was not different in the two groups. In AN patients and controls, hostility correlated positively with TT and FT values. Basal PRL values and responses to D-Fen administration were significantly lower in anorexics than in controls, but they did not correlate with the degree of hostility in either patients or controls. In conclusion, hostility is higher than normal in anorexics, and its severity seems to be linked to the secretion of FT and not to the alterations in the 5-HT function.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Aetiopathogenesis and pathophysiology of bulimia nervosa: biological bases and implications for treatment.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of binge eating and associated efforts to purge the ingested calories through self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting or intensive exercise. The aetiopathogenesis and pathophysiology of the disorder are currently unclear. Biological bases have been proposed repeatedly, based on several lines of evidence: hunger, satiety and food choice are regulated by neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, and impairment of eating habits may be related to alterations in the secretion of these chemicals; genetic studies suggest that these neurotransmitter systems are dysfunctional in individuals with bulimia nervosa; and the frequent comorbidity of bulimia nervosa with major depressive and obsessive-compulsive disorders, conditions in which multiple alterations of brain biochemical functions have been demonstrated. Data in the literature suggest that levels of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) are lower in individuals with bulimia nervosa than in healthy controls. Levels of dopamine are similar to, or lower than, those in controls. After remission of the disorder, noradrenergic function returns to that seen in controls, whereas dopaminergic and serotonergic function rebound to levels higher than in controls. Among the neuropeptides, alterations in the levels of neuropeptide Y, peptide YY, beta-endorphin, corticotrophin-releasing hormone, somatostatin, cholecystokinin and vasopressin have been found in the symptomatic phase of bulimia nervosa, with a return to levels seen in controls after remission. Pharmacological treatment of bulimia nervosa that is directed at correction of the neurochemical alterations observed is difficult because of the complexity of the impairments. However, such treatment is necessary and should be continued long after symptomatic remission to ensure reinstitution of cerebral biochemical homeostasis.

Bulimia↗

PubMed2000

Neuroendocrine correlates of depression in abstinent heroin-dependent subjects.

The functions of the central alpha-adrenergic, serotoninergic and dopaminergic systems were investigated in 28 heroin-dependent subjects 6-8 weeks after detoxification, and in 22 healthy control subjects (group C). Fourteen heroin-dependent subjects with depressive comorbidity (group A), and 14 heroin-dependent subjects without other Axis I and II pathologies (group B) were included among abstinent substance abusers. Norepinephrine (NE) function was evaluated by growth hormone (GH) responses to acute stimulation with clonidine (clon); serotonin (5-HT) function by prolactin (PRL) and cortisol (CORT) responses to acute stimulation with D-fenfluramine (D-fen) and dopamine (DA) function by GH and PRL responses to acute administration of bromocriptine (brom). Central NE activity, as measured by the GH-clon test, seems to be well preserved both in A and B subjects. PRL and CORT responses to D-fen were significantly blunted both in A subjects and in B subjects, in comparison with control subjects (C); the PRL response in A subjects was significantly lower than in B subjects. The DA system of B subjects was found unimpaired; in contrast, a significantly higher GH response to brom in A subjects (depressed) could express D2 post-synaptic receptor hypersensitivity and, therefore, decreased pre-synaptic DA release. In sum, the study of central monoamine function revealed an alteration only of the 5-HT system in detoxified heroin-dependent subjects without psychiatric comorbidity, which might be a trait character of these subjects, possibly involved in the pathogenesis of the disorder. A more significant impairment of 5-HT function and the hypersensitivity of post-synaptic DA receptors in A subjects suggests that specific biological correlates of psychiatric comorbidity may characterize substance abuser subtypes.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

PubMed2000

Psychoneurendocrinology: a science of the past or a new pathway for the future?

Psychoneuroendocrinology is a branch of neuroscience that developed in the beginning of the last century, which investigates the possibility of a cause-effect link between endocrinopathies and mental disorders - with these studies ending in negative results. Psychoneuroendocrinology was then used as a methodological approach for the investigation of neurotransmitter function, on the basis of the observation that neurotransmitters regulate neurohormone and peripheral hormone secretions. Data were obtained for hypothalamic noradrenergic, serotoninergic, dopaminergic, gabaergic and acetylcholinergic functions, which could not be automatically extended to higher brain centers whose impairments might be etiopathogenetically involved in the development of mental disorders. Future studies should focus on new methodological approaches to brain biochemistry, on investigation of genetic, molecular biology, brain imaging, psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology, neuropeptide and neurosteroid secretion in relation to brain endocrine function in mental diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Long-lasting effects of (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) on serotonin system function in humans.

BACKGROUND: Fifteen (+/-)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) users, who did not show other drug dependencies or prolonged alcohol abuse, and 15 control subjects were included in the study. METHODS: Prolactin (PRL) and cortisol (CORT) responses to the serotonergic agonist d-fenfluramine (D-fen), clinical psychobehavioral changes, and psychometric measures were evaluated 3 weeks and then 12 months after MDMA discontinuation. RESULTS: MDMA users showed significantly reduced PRL and CORT responses in comparison with control subjects at 3 weeks (respectively, p < .001; p < .005). The responses of PRL to D-fen were unmodified at 12 months after prolonged abstinence and were significantly reduced in comparison with controls (p < .001). In contrast, CORT responses in MDMA users were restored after 12 months of abstinence, with significantly higher responses to D-fen, in comparison with 3-week responses (p < .05). MDMA users' high scores on the Novelty Seeking (NS) scale on the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) appeared unchanged by long-term abstinence. In contrast, Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) (Buss and Durkee 1957) direct and guilt scores decreased significantly after 12 months of abstinence. PRL AUCs at 12 months were inversely correlated with the measures of MDMA exposure (r = -.538). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate long-lasting 5-HT system impairment in abstinent MDMA users although the hypothesis of serotonergic changes attributable to a premorbid condition cannot be excluded. CORT restored responses to D-fen at 12 months, and the correlation of neuroendocrine changes with MDMA exposure suggest that the neuroendocrine impairment may be due to a partially reversible neurotoxic action of MDMA on the human brain.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Neuroendocrine correlates of temperamental traits in humans.

Studies investigating temperament traits in humans and their biological correlates have found high levels of novelty seeking (NS) linked with dopaminergic system changes, and particularly a deficit of dopamine transporter. Harm avoidance and reward dependence, on the other hand, appeared to be associated, respectively with serotonin and noradrenaline changes. In the present study, we have investigated the dopaminergic (DA), serotonergic (5-HT), and noradrenergic (NE) functions in healthy volunteers by challenging the monoamine systems with the DA agonist bromocriptine, the 5-HT agonist D-fenfluramine, and the NE agonist clonidine, respectively. Parallel to this investigation, we examined the temperament traits of our subjects by measuring NS, harm avoidance (HA) and reward dependence (RD) using the 'Three-dimensional Personality Questionnaire' (TPQ). The aims of the study were to see whether or not the monoamine functions were correlated with temperament traits. Bromocriptine challenge induced a significant GH increase and a significant suppression of PRL. D-fenfluramine test significantly increased PRL and cortisol plasma levels and Clonidine test induced a significant rise in GH values. NS scores showed a significant direct correlation with brom-stimulated GH values (r=0.426, P<0.05) and a significant inverse correlation with brom-inhibited PRL values (r=-0.498, P<0.01). HA scores correlated significantly with D-fen-stimulated PRL and CORT AUCs, (PRL: r=0.424, P<0.05; CORT: r=0. 595, P<0.005). RD scores correlated positively with clon-stimulated GH values (r=0.55; F=8.6; P<0.01) and negatively with brom-inhibited-PRL AUCs (r=-0.439, P<0.05). Our data support Cloninger theory concerning the biological correlates of temperamental traits, and evidence the link between the neuroendocrine responses to dynamic challenges and stable temperament features.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

PubMed2000

Dopamine function in obsessive compulsive disorder: cortisol response to acute apomorphine stimulation.

Central dopaminergic dysfunction has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In 15 patients with OCD and in 15 age-sex matched controls we evaluated the dopamine (DA) function by measuring the cortisol (CORT) responses to stimulation with the DA agonist apomorphine (APO). The CORT response to acute saline administration was also measured, to exclude the existence of a pathology of the circadian secretion of the hormone which could obscure the significance of the CORT response to APO stimulation. Basal levels of CORT were the same in patients and controls, but the values after saline administration were significantly higher in patients than in controls. APO stimulation-induced CORT rises were significantly higher in patients than in controls, but when the data after APO were corrected for those after saline, there were no significant difference between the two groups of subjects. Our data suggest that there are no alterations of the central dopaminergic function connected with the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in OCD.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Neuroendocrine correlates of temperament traits in abstinent opiate addicts.

PURPOSE: Studies investigating temperament traits of drug abusers and their biological correlates have disclosed high rates of novelty seeking (NS) in opiate addicts, possibly based on dysfunctions of the dopaminergic (DA) system. The aims of the present study were to see whether or not the monoamine functions were impaired in detoxified addicts and whether or not these alterations were correlated with temperament traits, given the possibility that impairment of the biological and temperament parameters might be responsible for the development of addiction. METHODS: We have investigated the DA, serotonergic (5-HT), and noradrenergic (NE) functions in 22 abstinent heroin addicts and 22 healthy controls by challenging the monoamine systems with the DA agonist bromocriptine (brom), the 5-HT agonist D-fenfluramine (D-fen), and the NE agonist clonidine (clon), respectively. We examined the temperament traits by measuring NS, harm avoidance (HA), and reward dependence (RD) using the "Three-Dimensional Personality Questionnaire" (TPQ). RESULTS: Addicts showed higher than normal NS scores at TPQ blunted 5-HT function, and normal DA and NE activities, in response to the neuroendocrine challenges. NS correlated negatively with the DA function in both addicts and controls, and negatively with the 5-HT function only in addicts. HA correlated positively with 5-HT function in controls but not in addicts. IMPLICATIONS: The impairment in 5-HT function observed in heroin addicts and the changes in the biological correlates of temperamental traits could increase the proneness to addiction and possible comorbid psychiatric disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Neuroendocrine responses to psychological stress in adolescents with anxiety disorder.

Neurotransmitter-neuroendocrine and cardiovascular responses to the administration of a psychologically stressful mixed-model test (Mental Arithmetic, Stroop Color Word Interference Task, Trier Social Stress Test) were examined in 20 male peripubertal subjects affected by anxiety disorder (group A: 14 with generalized anxiety disorder, 6 with generalized anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder) and 20 junior school adolescents, matched for age, without overt psychological disorders (group B). Plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), beta-endorphin (beta-EP), cortisol (CORT), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and testosterone (Te) were measured immediately before the beginning of the tests and 30 min later at their end. Mean prestress values of GH, PRL, beta-EP and ACTH were significantly higher in anxious subjects than in controls. There was no difference in NE, EPI, CORT and Te prestress levels in the two groups. After the psychological stress session NE, GH and Te concentrations increased significantly in anxious subjects (A), but not in controls. In contrast, beta-EP and PRL decreased significantly during the psychological stress session in anxious subjects, and were unaffected by stress in the subjects without anxiety. No significant changes were found in ACTH, CORT and EPI during the challenge either in anxious subjects or in controls, which may be attributed to the late time of poststress blood sampling. In contrast to controls, heart rate and systolic blood pressure increased significantly in anxious subjects after psychological stress testing. Our data support the hypothesis that the hyperactivity of the noradrenergic system in response to stress is associated with anxiety disorders in adolescents and might influence the responses of GH and Te. High prestress basal values of stress hormones seem to be induced in anxious subjects by the anticipation of the task or by a persistent hyperactivity of the noradrenergic system. Further studies are needed to investigate in more detail the involvement of the HPA axis in anxious adolescents by a more refined resolution of time points of blood sampling.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in patients with panic disorder: effect of alprazolam therapy.

Plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured in 10 outpatients with panic disorder, twice (at a 48-h interval) before and twice on days 30-32 of treatment with alprazolam (2-2.5 mg/day), and twice in 10 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. TNF-alpha concentrations did not differ in patients and control subjects, either before therapy or at days 30-32 of therapy. In five patients before therapy, and in three of them after therapy, TNF-alpha values were higher than the maximal concentrations of the cytokine in controls.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Neurotransmitters, neuroendocrine correlates of sensation-seeking temperament in normal humans.

Correlations between sensation-seeking (SS) personality dimension and plasma concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine, and NE-dependent testosterone (T), cortisol and prolactin (PRL) were studied in 74 physically and psychologically healthy male volunteers, in order to see whether or not the noradrenergic system is involved in the modulation of this personality trait. Novelty-seeking scores by the Temperament and Character Inventory and SS scores on a Visual Analog Scale were positively correlated with plasma NE, T and PRL levels, suggesting that NE and the downstream cascade of NE-dependent hormones, together with other monoaminergic changes, might be responsible for the development and the degree of this temperamental character.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Experimentally induced aggressiveness in adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs): preliminary behavioral and neuroendocrine findings.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the nature of the reaction of nonalcoholic adult children of alcoholic (ACOA) fathers to the experimental induction of aggression. Of particular interest was the relationship between biochemical factors and personality traits during a stressful event experienced by persons at risk for alcoholism. METHOD: Aggression was induced by a modified free-operant procedure in 14 ACOA and 14 non-ACOA subjects between 18 and 19 years of age with men and women represented in equal numbers. Neurotransmitter-hormonal assays from blood drawn immediately before, and 20 and 30 minutes after, starting the test included norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI), prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH) and cortisol (Cort). Personality traits were assessed by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) and the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI). RESULTS: During the aggression induction session, ACOAs gained (F = 4.6, 1/13 df, p < .05) and subtracted (F = 9.2, 1/13 df, p < .005) significantly less money than non-ACOAs, evidence of lower outward-directed aggressiveness among ACOAs. Higher baseline plasma levels of Cort (F = 9.8, 1/13 df, p < .01) and PRL (F = 4.0, 1/13 df, p < .05) and decreased NE (F = 8.5, 1/13 df, p < .005) and GH (F = 10.9, 1/13 df, p < .001) responses during the experimental session were observed. On personality measures ACOAs scored higher than non-ACOAs on MMPI hysteria (F = 10.8, 1/13 df, p < .005), hypochondria (F = 20.1, 1/13 df, p < .001) and paranoia (F = 4.7, 1/13 df, p < 0.5) subscales, on the TPQ reward dependence (F = 10.9, 1/13 df, p < .005) subscale and on BDHI guilt (F = 15.7, 1/13 df, p < .001) and resentment (F = 6.4, 1/13 df, p < .05) subscales. CONCLUSION: These findings, preliminary in nature, support a hypothesis of inhibition of state and trait aggression in ACOAs in association with monoaminergic and endocrine changes.

Adolescent↗