Protocol Number: 02-M-0155

Title:

The Effects of Cortisol and Norepinephrine Modulation on Emotional and Nonemotional Processing

Number:

02-M-0155

Summary:

The purpose of this study is to examine how hormonal changes that occur during stressful situations affect thought and emotions. Results from this study may lead to treatments that can alleviate the psychological effects of trauma.

Levels of cortisol and norepinephrine increase in response to stress; these hormones also influence thought processes. This study will give hydrocortisone and/or yohimbine (a stimulator of central norepinephrine) to healthy adults in order to model the stress response and to better understand the way people process information during traumatic events.

This study comprises two experiments in which the stress response is pharmacologically modeled. Participants in the study will have two study visits. During Visit 1, participants will undergo a psychiatric assessment, complete neuropsychological tasks, and have their IQ measured. During Visit 2, participants will be given hydrocortisone and/or yohimbine. Blood will be collected before and during this. Participants will then perform two experiments. In one experiment, participants will hear a story with emotional and non-emotional segments; in a second experiment, participants will view both emotional and non-emotional stimuli.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: No

Population Exclusion(s): Children

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Age: 18-36

IQ: all subjects will have IQ greater than 85

Follicular cycle: Women will participate in the encoding task between days 3-10.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Pregnancy/Nursing

Only healthy individuals will participate; special attention will be taken to ensure that no subject has: hypertension, glaucoma, cataracts, ulcers, renal insufficiency, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, cirrhosis, ocular herpes simplex and myocardial infarction.

Use of hormonal contraception

Use of glucocorticoids within past 3 years

Use of any psychoactive substance; current or past psychiatric diagnosis.

Irregular sleep pattern as defined as getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night, going to sleep after 2:00 AM; waking up before 5:00 AM or after 11:00 AM

Weight that is 32% more than ideal body weight for sex and height

History of panic attacks or first degree relative with history of panic attacks

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

Hydrocortisone

Yohimbine

Cognition

Norepinephrine

Cortisol

Recruitment Keywords:

Healthy Volunteer

HV

Normal Control

Conditions:

Healthy

Investigational Drug(s):

Yohimbine

Investigational Device(s):

None

Contacts:

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citations:

Diamond DM, Fleshner M, Ingersoll N, Rose GM Psychological stress impairs spatial working memory: relevance toelectrophysiological studies of hippocampal functionBehav Neurosci 1996 Aug;110(4):661-72 PMID: 8864259

Sandi C, Loscertales M, Guaza C Experience-dependent facilitating effect of corticosterone on spatial memoryformation in the water mazeEur J Neurosci 1997 Apr;9(4):637-42PMID: 9153570

Christianson SA, Fallman L The role of age on reactivity and memory for emotional picturesScand J Psychol 1990;31(4):291-301PMID: 2274761

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
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Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 10/26/2004