Epidemiological investigations are unable to explain sex differences in coronary heart disease (CHD). The applicants propose that to the extent that individual differences in cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and metabolic responses to behavioral challenge are a risk factor for CHD, sex differences in stress responses may assist in explaining sex differences in CHD. The ongoing research program has documented differences in psychological responses to acute stress between men and women and among women who vary in reproductive hormone status. Building on these findings, but also departing from previous efforts in strategy and design, the continuation application proposes five studies. Study 1 will measure hemodynamic measures that underlie sex differences in cardiovascular responses to behavioral challenge. Using longitudinal designs, Study 2 will compare women's stress responses prior to and three months after surgical menopause, whereas Study 3 will compare healthy women's stress responses prior to and three months after a """"""""temporary menopause"""""""" due to the administration of a GnRH agonist. In both studies, some women after the second testing will be administered estrogen replacement therapy and stress responses will again be measures. Thus, Studies 2 and 3 will also address the effects of estrogen replacement therapy on stress responses. These studies gain significance from the fact that surgical menopause is associated with heightened risk for CHD, whereas estrogen replacement therapy is associated with protection from CHD. Study 4 will describe the extent of sex differences in exposure to psychological stressors among men and women from two levels of social class. Social class is included in the design because it is a risk factor for psychological stress and for CHD. The final study will test the hypothesis that sex differences in stress responses will be attenuated during a task within a feminine area of competency and accentuated during a task within a masculine area of competency.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37HL038712-13
Application #
6030569
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Project Start
1987-07-01
Project End
2002-06-30
Budget Start
1999-07-01
Budget End
2002-06-30
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053785812
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Matthews, Karen A; Owens, Jane F; Salomon, Kristen et al. (2005) Influence of hormone therapy on the cardiovascular responses to stress of postmenopausal women. Biol Psychol 69:39-56
Flory, Janine D; Matthews, Karen A; Sistilli, Cathy G et al. (2002) Short-term suppression of ovarian function and immune measures in healthy women. Psychoneuroendocrinology 27:749-68
Powers, Robert W; Majors, Alana K; Lykins, David L et al. (2002) Plasma homocysteine and malondialdehyde are correlated in an age- and gender-specific manner. Metabolism 51:1433-8
Friedman, Bruce H; Allen, Michael T; Christie, Israel C et al. (2002) Validity concerns of common heart-rate variability indices. IEEE Eng Med Biol Mag 21:35-40
Owens, Jane F; Matthews, Karen A; Everson, Susan A (2002) Cognitive function effects of suppressing ovarian hormones in young women. Menopause 9:227-35
Matthews, K A; Gump, B B; Owens, J F (2001) Chronic stress influences cardiovascular and neuroendocrine responses during acute stress and recovery, especially in men. Health Psychol 20:403-10
Matthews, K A; Raikkonen, K; Everson, S A et al. (2000) Do the daily experiences of healthy men and women vary according to occupational prestige and work strain? Psychosom Med 62:346-53
Raikkonen, K; Matthews, K A; Flory, J D et al. (1999) Effects of optimism, pessimism, and trait anxiety on ambulatory blood pressure and mood during everyday life. J Pers Soc Psychol 76:104-13
Davis, M C; Matthews, K A; Twamley, E W (1999) Is life more difficult on Mars or Venus? A meta-analytic review of sex differences in major and minor life events. Ann Behav Med 21:83-97
Raikkonen, K; Matthews, K A; Flory, J D et al. (1999) Effects of hostility on ambulatory blood pressure and mood during daily living in healthy adults. Health Psychol 18:44-53

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