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Plasma norepinephrine kinetics in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder
M M Murburg1, M E McFall, N Lewis
1National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at Palo Alto Veterans Administration Medical Center, California 94394, USA.
Biological Psychiatry
|December 15, 1995
Summary
Basal sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity is not elevated in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients. Instead, findings suggest that previously reported increases in resting SNS activity in PTSD may reflect heightened SNS reactivity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often associated with altered physiological responses.
- Previous research suggested increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in individuals with PTSD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate basal sympathetic nervous system (SNS) function in patients with PTSD.
- To compare norepinephrine (NE) kinetics and epinephrine (EPI) levels between PTSD patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a radioisotope dilution technique to measure basal arterialized plasma norepinephrine (NE) kinetics.
- Assessed basal plasma levels of epinephrine (EPI) and vital signs in 12 male combat veterans with PTSD and 6 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Patients with PTSD exhibited lower plasma NE levels and lower rates of NE appearance compared to controls.
- No significant difference was found in NE clearance rates between the groups.
- A trend towards lower EPI levels and higher diastolic blood pressure was observed in PTSD patients.
Conclusions:
- Basal sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity is not increased in patients with PTSD.
- The findings suggest that heightened SNS reactivity, rather than elevated basal activity, may explain previous observations of increased resting SNS activity in PTSD.