The promise of receptor studies in psychophysiologic research

Most research on reactivity to stressors limits its focus to the neurohormonal and cardiovascular components of reactivity. There is, however, another area of investigation with important implications to this field. Receptor binding techniques provide a direct measure of the functional link between neurohormonal signals and the responses they stimulate. Receptor measurement would enable psychophysiologic studies to begin to address the complete triad of signal emission/reception/end-organ response that underlies all reactivity patterns. This paper reviews adrenergic receptor physiology, methods, and research pertinent to reactivity. Our intention is to encourage greater consideration of these important issues in reactivity research.