VIGILANCE, THE PLASMA CATECHOLAMINES, AND RELATED BIOCHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABLES.
Abstract
Vigilance, the state of cerebral responsiveness to exteroceptive or proprioceptive stimuli, might be related to circulating concentrations of the catecholamine hormones, adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA). These hormones are secreted during stress, raising blood concentrations and producing a variety of physiological reactions. The mild stress involved in performing passive mental tasks elevates blood levels of both catecholamines, but particularly A. Circulating A also excites the mesencephalic reticular formation. Therefore, it has suggested that a positive feedback relationship exists between the reticular formation and the adrenal medullae: a high level of reticular activation might produce a high rate of A secretion and a corresponding elevation in its blood level. The resulting high A concentration at receptor sites in the reticular formation would then perpetuate the initial level of reticular activation. The investigation described here was primarily designed to provide evidence for the existence of a relationship between A and vigilance. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0709441
Entities
People
- James F. O'hanlon Jr.