Does Propranolol Attenuate Inflammatory Responses to a Psychological Stressor?
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2017-10-10
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of propranolol will shed important
light on how sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation influences psychological and
inflammatory responses to acute stress. Results from this study will inform both the basic
science literature that is attempting to map the physiological mechanisms by which
psychological stress may lead to poor mental and physical health, and may also ultimately
have therapeutic relevance for individuals who are experiencing high levels of stress that is
putting their health at risk. Utilizing a psychopharmacological approach allows for the
circumvention of many of the challenges of conducting this research in human populations, and
will allow for conclusions regarding causality, given that SNS activation will be
experimentally manipulated, rather than relying on correlational measures of SNS activity
that are difficult to assess and are not appropriate for asking if SNS activity causes
changes in psychology and biology.