We introduce the field of psychoneurocardiology, and cite examples of research into psychosomatic and somatopsychic bases for hypertensive development. Beta-adrenergic hyperreactivity (a possible precursor of hypertension), as indexed by electrocardiographic T-wave amplitude suppression, was greater during active than passive coping tasks. The rise in tonic mean arterial blood pressure in normotensives over a 19-month period was a joint function of self-reported daily stress and baroreceptor-dependent pain dampening (as determined by the PRES method of noninvasive controlled carotid baroreceptor manipulation). The latter finding provides support for the learned model of hypertension. In this model, phasic blood pressure increases stimulate the baroreceptors, which in turn dampen pain and stress. The long-term effect of this relief is initially to increase the frequency of such phasic increases, and eventually to produce a tonic elevation in blood pressure.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Psychophysiology of arterial baroreceptors and the etiology of hypertension.

Arterial baroreceptors are sensitive to blood pressure dependent blood vessel dilation. They play a key role in the short term regulation of blood pressure. Their impact on psychological and psychophysiological aspects is of increasing interest. The review focuses on experimental techniques for the controlled baroreceptor manipulation. Results from the application of these techniques show that baroreceptor activation influences the cardiovascular system as well as central nervous functioning: Behavioral and electrophysiological measures of arousal, low level reflexes and pain responses are modulated through baroreceptor manipulation. The observation of an overall dampening ('barbiturate like') effect of baroreceptor activity led Dworkin et al. formulate the theory of learned hypertension: Subjects might experience blood pressure dependent baroreceptor activation as stress and pain relieving. High blood pressure periods become negatively reinforced. Phasic high blood pressure might develop as a coping strategy. Data from a longitudinal human study supporting this theory are reported.

Arousal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Renal functional response to the mushroom poison gyromitrin.

The poison gyromitrin, found in the edible false morel Gyromitra esculenta Fr. ex Pers., caused in rats an increased diuresis in which urine was produced with a weak alkaline pH, a high excretion of sodium (530%), and potassium (210%). The observed increase lasted for about 12 h and was followed by a rentention with regard to the volume and the Na-excretion for about 72 h. On the basis of [3H] inulin excretion an increased glomerular filtration was determined followed by a decrease 12 h after application of gyromitrin. An increase of creatinine and urea in the serum could not be established during the retention phase. The diuresis as well as the excretion of sodium could be antagonized by injection of an equimolar dose of pyridoxine. The hydrazine derivative N-methyl-N-formylhydrazine (MFH), which is formed rapidly from gyromitrin by hydrolysis, was without any effect on the renal function. In order to explain the effectiveness of the relatively lipophilic gyromitrin, the non-effectiveness of the more hydrophilic hydrazine MFH and the blockade of the gyromitrin effect by pyridoxine, a mechanism involving the central nervous system is discussed.

Acetaldehyde↗