Biological Response to Brief Psychological Challenge

The proposed study will examine physiologic responses to acute psychological challenge in the laboratory among healthy adults. It is widely accepted that there is an increase in circulating markers of inflammation following a single bout of laboratory stress. This increase in systemic inflammation is believed to contribute to the damaging health effect of psychological stress. However, to date, the biological mechanisms by which psychological stress is transduced into inflammation are unclear. The investigators' preliminary evidence suggests that mitochondrion may play a role, with stress-induced increases in circulating levels of mitochondria- derived signaling molecules that are known to modulate immune cell function and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

To test this possibility, the investigators plan to conduct a crossover experimental trial examining physiological responses to an evaluative speech task under laboratory conditions. The investigators have previously used this task to induce physiological arousal. The investigators plan to recruit 60 non-smoking volunteers (50% female, aged 20-50 years) and test these participants on two occasions separated by at least a month. On one occasion the participants will be exposed to the speech task. On the other occasion, the participants will rest quietly for the same period. Conditions will be counterbalanced. At both visits cardiovascular responses (heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rate variability) will be assessed as measures of autonomic activation before, during and after the task period. Participants will also have an intravenous catheter inserted and blood drawn at ten time points over the two hour testing period on each occasion. Blood samples will be sent to laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh and at Columbia University for the assessment of mitochondria-derived signalling molecules, inflammatory markers, and cortisol levels.

Inclusion criteria

• Generally healthy
• Non-smokers/illicit drug users
• Blood pressure below 140/90
• Weight > 110 lbs
• BMI < 30
• Fluent in English
• Women -- regular menstrual cycles over the past 12 months (defined as 21- 35 days in length)
• Able and willing to give informed consent
• Willing to abstain from alcohol and vigorous exercise for 24 hours, from food and drinks (other than water) for 3 hours and from non-prescription medications (other than oral contraception) for 2 days before testing.
• Willing to attend two laboratory stress testing sessions, give blood though an intravenous catheter, undergo medical evaluation and complete psychosocial questionnaires.

Exclusion criteria

• Reported history of chronic systemic immune, metabolic or mitochondrial diseases, or chronic diseases that influence the central nervous, autonomic nervous or neuroendocrine systems, e.g., autoimmune disease, chronic infections, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney or liver disease, cancer treatment.
• Reported psychiatric history of schizophrenia or other psychotic illness, or mood disorder.
• Resting blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg at baseline testing.
• Weight < 110 lbs
• BMI equal to or greater than 30
• Report currently taking glucocorticoid, anti-inflammatory, anti-retroviral, immunosuppressant, insulin, antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive, oral hypoglycemic, antidepressant, benzodiazepine or prescription weight loss medications or other medications known to influence the immune, autonomic or neuroendocrine systems.
• For women - Post-menopausal or irregular menstrual cycles over the past 12 months. Report current pregnancy or lactation.
• Current smokers (defined as having smoked a cigarette in the previous 3 months).
• Current illicit drug use (defined as reported use of illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine or heroin in the previous 3 months).
• Not fluent in English (have used English in everyday speaking and reading for at least 10 years)
• Unable or unwilling to give informed consent
• Unwilling to abstain from alcohol and vigorous exercise for 24 hours, from food and drinks (other than water) for 3 hours and from non-prescription medications (other than oral contraception) for 2 days prior to testing.