Catecholamine Activity and Infectious Disease Episodes

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
H. William Gruchow, Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: The profile of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy methoxy acid (VMA) excretion was studied in relation to reported acute infectious disease episodes. Daily VMA excretion levels and symptom reports were analyzed for a group of 47 volunteers over a four-week period. Results showed a tendency for elevated VMA levels to occur with greater frequency within three days prior to the onset of symptoms. These findings are interpreted as suggesting that elevated levels of catecholamine activity may increase susceptibility to disease by interfering with the immune response, and in the presence of an agent lead to an infectious disease episode.

Additional Information

Publication
Journal of Human Stress, 5(3):11-17, 1979.
Language: English
Date: 1979
Keywords
catecholamines, stress, infectious disease, sympathetic nervous system, susceptibility to infection, VMA excretion, immune response

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