THE PROMISE OF ADRENERGIC-RECEPTOR STUDIES IN PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL RESEARCH-II - APPLICATIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND PROGRESS

For years research in fields such as biologic psychiatry and hypertens ion has benefited from the use of receptor measures. It is only recent ly however, that investigators in the field of psychosomatic medicine have taken advantage of this methodology. Much of this research revolv es around discerning the roles that adrenergic receptors play in stres sful events and stress-related behaviors. Thus far, psychosomatic stud ies have focused primarily on three areas: 1) The effects of psychosoc ial stressors on adrenergic receptor function, 2) the relationship bet ween adrenergic receptors and cardiovascular responses to stressors, a nd 3) the relationship between adrenergic receptor measures and corona ry-prone behaviors. Although several important methodological issues n eed to be addressed, current studies are helping to decipher longstand ing questions regarding the complex processes underlying behavior, str ess, immunity, and the sympathetic nervous system. This paper reviews the progress and limitations of this research blossoming field.