This meta-analysis reviews 208 laboratory studies of acute psychological stressors and tests a theoretical model delineating conditions capable of eliciting cortisol responses. Psychological stressors increased cortisol levels; however, effects varied widely across tasks. Consistent with the theoretical model, motivated performance tasks elicited cortisol responses if they were uncontrollable or characterized by social-evaluative threat (task performance could be negatively judged by others), when methodological factors and other stressor characteristics were controlled for. Tasks containing both uncontrollable and social-evaluative elements were associated with the largest cortisol and adrenocorticotropin hormone changes and the longest times to recovery. These findings are consistent with the animal literature on the physiological effects of uncontrollable social threat and contradict the belief that cortisol is responsive to all types of stressors.

http://anthro.vancouver.wsu.edu/media/Course_files/anth-260-edward-h-hagen/acute-stressors-and-cortisol-responses-a-theoretical-integration-and-synthesis-of-laboratory-research-1.pdf

Acute stressors and cortisol responses: a theoretical integration and synthesis of laboratory research.

https://bic.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/Rossi_09_TMS%20safety%20review.pdf

Safety, ethical considerations, and application guidelines for the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in clinical practice and research

The detection of psychiatric illness by questionnaire

http://www.smhc.org.cn/uploadfiles/2014/09/20140929090442442.pdf

A Meta-Analysis of Cytokines in Major Depression

Emotion and Adaptation

Both (-)-deprenyl and pergolide have been found to induce superoxide dismutase (SOD) in rat striata. There are several reports showing that strains or species with higher levels of SOD live longer. Other studies indicate that (-)-deprenyl can increase life expectancy in rats and that both (-)-deprenyl and pergolide may retard nigrostriatal degeneration. This present paper suggests that all these findings are linked, and that (-)-deprenyl and pergolide possess neuroprotective properties by virtue of an activated removal of toxic oxygen radicals.

Effects of dopaminergic drugs on superoxide dismutase: implications for senescence

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is known to affect brain serotonin (5-HT) neurons in experimental animals However, its effects on humans are more difficult to infer Serotonin is implicated in the body’s ability to modulate the effects of pain and to regulate mood The aim of this research is to test nociceptive responses and mood in MDMA users as an index of central 5-HT function Measurements of pain tolerance were obtained using the cold-pressor test for 15 polydrug users who regularly use MDMA, 3–4 days after the most recent usage, and ten matched polydrug users who do not use MDMA A rating on mood was obtained for each participant using the Nowlis Mood Adjective checklist Measurements of pain tolerance and mood were significantly lower in the MDMA group A positive correlation between mood and pain tolerance was found in the MDMA group, whereas no correlation was found between these variables in the non-MDMA group This study found an association between pain tolerance and MDMA usage and confirmed the association between MDMA and depressed mood The current results suggest that MDMA, at least in the short term, may cause serotonin-mediated alterations in pain sensitivity

Decreased pain tolerance and mood in recreational users of MDMA.

The iceberg of social disadvantage and chronic stress: implications for public health.

CuZn-superoxide dismutase transgenic mice: no effect on longevity, locomotor activity and 3H-mazindol and 3H-spiperone binding over 19 months.

We have investigated the correlation between urinary isatin concentration and MAO-B inhibitory activity. A sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of isatin in urine was developed. There was a strong correlation between isatin concentrations determined by this method and the established GC/MS technique. In two sets of urine samples from healthy individuals (N = 63 and N = 21), we have shown that there is no significant correlation between isatin concentration and MAO-B inhibitory activity (r = − 0.1013 and − 0.1597, respectively). Based upon IC50 measures, the concentration of isatin in normal urine (N = 10) was 3– 5 times less than that which could account for the detected MAO-B inhibitory activity. Furthermore, Lineweaver-Burk plots from urine samples (N = 12) compared with isatin showed that the inhibition by isatin was competitive whereas urine samples could elicit either mixed or non-competitive inhibition. We conclude that the MAO-B inhibitory activity in urine cannot be attributed to isatin alone and another inhibitor(s) appears to be present.

Angela Clow

Papers

Effects of dopaminergic drugs on superoxide dismutase: implications for senescence

Decreased pain tolerance and mood in recreational users of MDMA.

The iceberg of social disadvantage and chronic stress: implications for public health.

CuZn-superoxide dismutase transgenic mice: no effect on longevity, locomotor activity and 3H-mazindol and 3H-spiperone binding over 19 months.

The relationship between isatin and monoamine oxidase-B inhibitory activity in urine