Changes in salivary [K+], [Na+] and [K+]/[Na+] with varied test demands

It was hypothesised that choice reaction-time (CRT) testing would cause salivary [K+]/[Na+] to increase. Relative contributions of [K+] and [Na+] to ratio changes were investigated in 23 hypertensives and ten hospital staff. Changes in post-rest and post-test ionic concentrations and [K+]/[Na+], replicated earlier studies. Phasic [K+]/[Na+] changes were mainly due to [K+] changes. Significant increases in [K+] and decreases in [Na+] from a relaxed session, the day before CRT testing, to the testing session per se indicated test anticipation effects. In both groups, changes from pre-test "rest" to "on test" were significant only for [K+]. [K+] discriminated well between conditions in hypertensives. This was interpreted in terms of adaptive changes in sympathetic activation. Results show the robustness of salivary ion indices (especially of [K+]) as indicators of within-subject response to mental task demands.