Autonomic hyperreactivity and risk for alcoholism.
1. Studies which illustrate autonomic hyperreactivity in sons of alcoholics are reviewed and discussed. This response is elicited by a wide range of stimuli which vary from the stressful to the incidental. It also occurs independently of coping strategy. This hyperreactivity, which is particularly characteristic of multigenerational sons of alcoholics is significantly dampened by alcohol. This pattern of results supports a negative reinforcement model of alcohol abuse in these individuals.
Pihl
R O
RO
Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Finn
P
P
Peterson
J
J
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012307:Risk Factors