Acute Plasma Abeta Responses to Stress
Stress Reaction, Stress Physiology
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Stress Reaction focused on measuring Stress Reaction, Stress, Amyloid-Beta
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Between 18-30 years old or between 50-65 years old
- Healthy adult weighing at least 110 pounds
- No chronic conditions or illness
- Taking no medications or drugs that might alter the stress response (e.g., corticosteroids, beta-blockers, and others)
- Not using any hormone-containing medication (e.g., hormonal contraceptives, hormone replacement, etc.)
- No contraindications for cold pressor test exposure (high blood pressure, heart disease, dysrhythmia, peripheral vascular disease, any other cardiovascular disorder, diabetes, vasculitis, lupus, tingling or numbness in the hands and/or feet, cryoglobulinemia, and Reynaud's phenomenon)
- No history of fainting during blood draws
- No phobia of having their blood drawn
- No general history of fainting or seizures
- Not currently diagnosed with a mood disorder (e.g., major depressive disorder)
- Not pregnant in the past 12 months
- Not lactating in the past 12 months
- Not trying to become pregnant if premenopausal
- Experienced natural menopause if postmenopausal
- Be non-smokers
- Be fluent in English
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unwilling to be filmed during the stress task OR unwilling to sign the waiver allowing their filmed responses to be used in scientific presentations
Sites / Locations
- University of Southern California
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Sham Comparator
Stress (sympathetic nervous system activation)
No-stress
Stress will be induced using the socially evaluated cold pressor test. Participants will complete three rounds of the socially evaluated cold pressor test. The socially evaluated cold pressor test involves submerging one hand in ice-cold water for 3 minutes while participants' reactions are filmed on camera.
Participants will hold a hand in room temperature water for 3 minutes.