Ehlert

Fakultäten » Philosophische Fakultät » Psychologisches Institut » Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie » Prof. Dr. Ulrike Ehlert » Ehlert

Completed research project

Title / Titel	Salivary alpha-amylase as an indicator for catecholaminergic activation
PDF	Abstract (PDF, 14 KB)
Summary / Zusammenfassung	In psychophysiological research, the collection of plasma catecholamines in humans is problematic due to its invasive nature. Thus, it has been suggested that the activity of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) reflects changes in catecholamine levels in blood. Animal studies suggest that sympathetic stimulation leads to high activity of sAA. Marked increases in sAA due to a psychosocial stressor have previously been found in a study from our work group, indicating a stressor-dependent activation of release of sAA. The aim of the present study was to re-evaluate the reactivity of sAA in a standardized psychosocial stress setting on the one hand, and the relationship between sAA and plasma catecholamines on the other hand.
Keywords / Suchbegriffe	Stress, catecholamines, alpha-amylase, psychophysiology
Project leadership and contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte	lic. phil. Urs Nater u.nater@psychologie.uzh.ch Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ulrike Ehlert (Project Leader) u.ehlert@psychologie.uzh.ch
Funding source(s) / Unterstützt durch	Foundation Stiftung für wissenschaftliche Forschung an der Universität Zürich
In collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit	PD Dr. med. dent. Markus M. Koller, Zentrum für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferkrankheiten, Universität Zürich
Duration of Project / Projektdauer	Apr 2003 to Sep 2003