Stressor Controllability and Immune Function
Abstract
Psychological factors that modulate the impact of stressors on immune function are isolated and the mechanisms involved are studied. The research focuses on developing a paradigm in which coping factors can be manipulated and their impact studied. Theory and data suggest that behavioral control over a stressor is a major coping process. Here control over shock is manipulated by exposing rats to escapable (controllable) or exactly equal amounts and distributions of inescapable (uncontrollable) shocks. Inescapable shocks reduced lymphocyte proliferation to PHA and ConA, and suppressed natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Escapable shock had no effect at all, even though physically identical in intensity, duration, and distribution. Thus control/lack of control rather than shock per se was critical. This effect was not mediated by pituitary-adrenal hormones. Current work focuses on 3 aspects: 1) The development of a more ecologically valid stress paradigm using defeat; 2) The assessment of in vivo immune function, and 3) endogenous opitates as potential mediators.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 17, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA173786
Entities
People
- Mark L. Laudenslager
- Steven F. Maier
Organizations
- University of Colorado Boulder