Plasma catecholamine and lymphocyte beta 2-adrenergic receptor alterations in elderly Alzheimer caregivers under stress.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of chronic stress on beta-adrenergic physiology in elderly spousal caregivers to Alzheimer patients.


METHODS
Thirty-seven elderly spousal caregivers and matched noncaregiver controls (mean age 73 years, SD = 6) were studied. Life stress categorization (presence of marked threat) covering the previous 6 months was determined using a semistructured interview based on the Psychiatric Epidemiological Research Inventory and the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule. beta 2-adrenergic receptor sensitivity (isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation) and density were determined in lymphocytes.


RESULTS
Caregivers with high life stress had higher plasma norepinephrine levels (p < .04) but no change in plasma cortisol. For beta-receptor sensitivity, 30% of the variance was accounted for by high life stress rating, increased age, being male, and lower norepinephrine (p = .018); 17% of the variance in beta-receptor density was accounted for by plasma norepinephrine (p = .03).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings demonstrate that chronic high stress may be associated with changes in adrenergic physiology and may provide a mechanism through which chronic stress alters cellular immunity.
Mills
P J
PJ
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA.
Ziegler
M G
MG
Patterson
T
T
Dimsdale
J E
JE
Hauger
R
R
Irwin
M
M
Grant
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000097:blood; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology
D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine