Key result
Higher levels of depressive symptoms in Alzheimer's caregivers significantly predicted a greater plasma norepinephrine response to a psychological stress task (p < .01).
Why the study?
Do depressive symptoms predict plasma norepinephrine response to a psychological stress task in Alzheimer's caregivers?
Population
55 spousal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients, mean age 73 +/- 8 years
Design
Cross-sectional
Follow-up
Immediate (before and after stressor)
Authors
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Depressive symptoms may heighten norepinephrine reactivity in caregivers; hypothesis-generating for cardiovascular risk studies.
Observational (n=55)
Do depressive symptoms predict plasma norepinephrine response to a psychological stress task in Alzheimer's caregivers?
p-value: p=< .01
Higher levels of depressive symptoms in Alzheimer's caregivers are associated with an exaggerated norepinephrine response to acute psychological stress, which may contribute to increased cardiovascular morbidity.
Mausbach et al. (2005) conducted an observational in Alzheimer's caregivers (n=55). Depressive symptoms was evaluated on Post-stressor change in plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels (p=< .01). Higher levels of depressive symptoms in Alzheimer's caregivers significantly predicted a greater plasma norepinephrine response to a psychological stress task (p < .01).
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