Stress Physiology, Stress Reaction
Conditions
Keywords
Stress Reaction, Stress, Amyloid-Beta
Brief summary
Research has shown that activation of the sympathetic nervous system for extended periods or during certain times in life can increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease. Some research in animal models show that acute activation of the sympathetic nervous system through stress exposure can increase certain Alzheimer's disease-related biomarkers, such as amyloid-beta, within hours of exposure. However, how acute sympathetic nervous system activation via stress exposure affects amyloid-beta levels in humans has yet to be examined. In this study, the investigators will examine whether brief increases in sympathetic activation result in immediate changes in plasma amyloid-beta levels in the five hours after exposure.
Detailed description
Aim 1: determine whether acute exposure to stress (increasing sympathetic nervous system activation) increases plasma amyloid-beta-40 and amyloid-beta-42 in the five hours following exposure.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALSympathetic Nervous System Activation
Participants will complete a task that increases sympathetic nervous system activation.
BEHAVIORALNo-stress
Participants will complete a task that will not affect their sympathetic nervous system activity.
Sponsors
Washington University School of Medicine
Keck School of Medicine of USC
University of Southern California
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants will complete one session of each condition: stress and no-stress. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two conditions for their first session. Participants will then be randomly assigned to the remaining condition for the second session.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy adult weighing at least 110 pounds * No chronic conditions or illness * Taking no medications or drugs that might alter the stress response (e.g., corticosteroids, beta-blockers, and others) * Not using any hormone-containing medication (e.g., hormonal contraceptives, hormone replacement, etc.) * No contraindications for cold pressor test exposure (high blood pressure, heart disease, dysrhythmia, peripheral vascular disease, any other cardiovascular disorder, diabetes, vasculitis, lupus, tingling or numbness in the hands and/or feet, cryoglobulinemia, and Reynaud's phenomenon) * No history of fainting during blood draws * No phobia of having their blood drawn * No general history of fainting or seizures * Not currently diagnosed with a mood disorder (e.g., major depressive disorder) * Not pregnant in the past 12 months * Not lactating in the past 12 months * Not trying to become pregnant if premenopausal * Experienced natural menopause if postmenopausal * Be non-smokers * Be fluent in English
Exclusion criteria
\- Unwilling to be filmed during the stress task OR unwilling to sign the waiver allowing their filmed responses to be used in scientific presentations
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma amyloid-beta-40 | 9.5 hours | Changes in levels of amyloid-beta-40 in blood from before to after acute intervention (stress/no-stress). |
| Plasma amyloid-beta-42 | 9.5 hours | Changes in levels of amyloid-beta-42 in blood from before to after acute intervention (stress/no-stress). |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed