Linking Affective Dynamics in Response to Daily Stress to Peripheral Vascular Function in Working Age Adults
University of Delaware
Summary
The objective of this proposal is to determine whether heightened negative affective responsivity (NA-R) to daily stressors is related to blunted nitric oxide (NO)-mediated endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD) in working age adults and the extent to which this association is impacted by major depressive disorder (MDD).
Description
Convincing evidence indicates that the deleterious impacts of psychosocial stress on emotional well-being and behavioral health are likely major contributors to excessive cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in middle-aged and younger adults. In line with this, heightened negative affective (i.e., emotional) responsivity (NA-R) to daily stressors predicts CVD morbidity and mortality. Importantly, NA-R to daily stressors-the naturally occurring but unexpected hassles and challenges that arise out of routine everyday life (e.g., argument with a partner, pressing work deadline)-is most pronounced in…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Males and females aged 18-55 yrs * Non-depressed health adults (HA) will have no evidence of current or lifetime history of major psychiatric illness, assessed by the MINI and self-report and confirmed by a Licensed Clinical Psychologist * Adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) must meet the DSM-5 criteria for MDD and be currently symptomatic, assessed by the MINI and confirmed by a Licensed Clinical Psychologist; participants with co-morbid anxiety, stress, and trauma-related disorders will be included * Absence of unstable or chronic clinical disease, including ca…
Interventions
- OtherNG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)
Acute local perfusion of L-NAME (15 mM) directly to the microvasculature will be used to inhibit NO synthase.
Location
- University of DelawareNewark, Delaware