Catecholamine Excretion during Mental Work as Modified by Centrally Acting Drugs

Experiments were performed to determine whether changes in catecholamine excretion are sensitive indicators of the state of mild stress induced by performing psychological tasks, and whether centrally acting drugs would modify such changes.

Abstract

Abstract — Experiments were performed to determine (1) whether changes in catecholamine excretion are sensitive indicators of the state of mild stress induced by performing psychological tasks, and (2) whether centrally acting drugs would modify such changes. Adrenaline excretion was shown to be significantly higher (1) during testing than during inactivity, and (2) after intake of metamphetamine (10 mg) than after pentobarbitone (200 mg). No effects on noradrenaline excretion were demonstrated. Both drugs induced marked changes in mood, but with one exception (verbal performance under pentobarbitone) changes in performance were not found.