The long-term objective of the proposed research is to evaluate hypoalgesia as a biobehavioral marker of risk for hypertension. The research will test the hypothesis that hypoalgesia and hypertension share a common pathophysiology (i.e., central opioid hyposensitivity) that is characterized by enhanced activation of endogenous opiates and supraspinal pain modulation systems. To the extent that this hypothesis is true, individual differences in nociceptive responses at rest, during opiate blockade, and during supraspinal activation may be used to predict longitudinal changes in blood pressure. The findings from this project may also help to explain the attenuation of clinical pain (e.g., angina) that can complicate early arid accurate detection of heart disease in individuals with hypertension. Three studies are proposed that will use the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR), defined as the intensity of sural nerve stimulation required to elicit leg withdrawal, as an objective measure of nociception. Study l will determine NFR thresholds in controls and unmedicated patients with newly-diagnosed hypertension, and will assess endogenous opiates and descending pain modulation as mediators of hypertensive hypoalgesia. Study 2 will determine NFR thresholds in young adults at high and low risk for hypertension (defined by parental history of hypertension and resting blood pressure), and will also assess endogenous opiates and descending pain modulation as mediators of hypoalgesia in those at high risk for hypertension. Study 3 will evaluate NFR thresholds at rest and changes in NFR threshold in response to Supraspinal modulation as predictors of longitudinal changes in blood pressure in young adults at high and low risk for hypertension. The proposed studies are important for several reasons. Studies l and 2 will assess promising mechanisms of hypoalgesia which may lead to important insights concerning the role of endogenous opiates in the pathophysiology of hypertension. Study 3 will evaluate nociceptive responses as a means of identifying those at greatest risk for hypertension among heterogeneous groups of high risk men and women. This information could be used to identify the best candidates for behavioral and other risk reduction efforts.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL064794-03
Application #
6537796
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RPHB-3 (01))
Program Officer
Knox, Sara
Project Start
2000-05-01
Project End
2004-04-30
Budget Start
2002-05-01
Budget End
2003-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$319,861
Indirect Cost
Name
Ohio University Athens
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Athens
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45701
al?Absi, Mustafa (2018) Stress and Addiction: When a Robust Stress Response Indicates Resiliency. Psychosom Med 80:2-16
Rhudy, Jamie L; France, Christopher R (2011) Reliability and validity of a brief method to assess nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) threshold. J Pain 12:782-91
Edwards, Louisa; Ring, Christopher; France, Christopher R et al. (2008) Effects of opioid blockade on nociceptive flexion reflex thresholds and nociceptive responding in hypertensive and normotensive individuals. Int J Psychophysiol 69:96-100
Ring, Christopher; France, Christopher R; al'Absi, Mustafa et al. (2008) Effects of naltrexone on electrocutaneous pain in patients with hypertension compared to normotensive individuals. Biol Psychol 77:191-6
Rhudy, Jamie L; France, Christopher R (2007) Defining the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) threshold in human participants: a comparison of different scoring criteria. Pain 128:244-53
France, Christopher R; al'Absi, Mustafa; Ring, Christopher et al. (2007) Nociceptive flexion reflex and pain rating responses during endogenous opiate blockade with naltrexone in healthy young adults. Biol Psychol 75:95-100
Bruehl, Stephen; al'Absi, Mustafa; France, Christopher R et al. (2007) Anger management style and endogenous opioid function: is gender a moderator? J Behav Med 30:209-19
Ring, Christopher; France, Christopher R; al'Absi, Mustafa et al. (2007) Effects of opioid blockade with naltrexone and distraction on cold and ischemic pain in hypertension. J Behav Med 30:59-68
Ceballos, Natalie A; France, Christopher R; al'Absi, Mustafa (2007) Influence of naltrexone administration on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in male and female participants. Biol Psychol 74:414-6
Edwards, Louisa; Ring, Christopher; France, Christopher R et al. (2007) Nociceptive flexion reflex thresholds and pain during rest and computer game play in patients with hypertension and individuals at risk for hypertension. Biol Psychol 76:72-82

Showing the most recent 10 out of 27 publications