Elizabeth O’Leary Corson

Constitutional Differences in Physiologic Adaptation to Stress and Distress

Because of the widespread confusion about the definition of the term “stress,” we shall use the definition as stated by Selye in his latest writings: “Stress is the non-specific response of the body to any demand made upon it” (Selye, 1971). In this sense, stress represents a reaction of a living organism to any stimuli which would tend to disturb the homeokinetic state or which would tend to satisfy the particular drives (needs) of the organism at a particular time.

Systems analysis of the integrative activity of the neuron (1974).

This article is aimed at revising the traditional concept of neuronal activity based on preeminence of transmembrane potentials and “electric summation” on the neuron surface. It presents a historical survey of the emergence of the prevailing concept on propagation of potentials alongconductive structures and reveals the psychological situation that determined the transfer of this concept to dendrites and the neuronal soma. Structural and biophysical properties of the neuron which do not permit information propagation along the neuronal membrane without crude distortion are critically discussed in detail.This article is aimed at revising the traditional concept of neuronal activity based on preeminence of transmembrane potentials and “electric summation” on the neuron surface. It presents a historical survey of the emergence of the prevailing concept on propagation of potentials alongconductive structures and reveals the psychological situation that determined the transfer of this concept to dendrites and the neuronal soma. Structural and biophysical properties of the neuron which do not permit information propagation along the neuronal membrane without crude distortion are critically discussed in detail.

Interaction of genetics and separation in canine hyperkinesis and in differential responses to amphetamine

A model of childhood hyperkinesis, using the Telomian-beagle hybrid dog, is described, demonstrating the interactions of genetics and separation in the development of this syndrome and in the favorable responses of some of these dogs to amphetamine. This work represents the collaboration of three laboratories, utilizing chiefly methods of inhibitory training. Inducing separation distress enhanced the resistance to inhibitory training and the favorable responses to amphetamine.

Philosophical and Historical Roots of Pavlovian Psychobiology

Perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of Pavlovian psychobiology is the holistic integrated approach to the study of living systems and the recognition of the central role of the nervous system in the maintenance of biological homeostasis in higher organisms. This holistic approach has been referred to in Russian biomedical literature as the theory of “nervism” or the neurogenic theory. This theory emphasizes the concept of the organism as a whole, the leading role of the cerebral cortex in the regulation of physiologic and behavioral homeostasis, and the importance of psychosocial factors in health and disease.

Neuroendocrine and behavioral correlates of constitutional differences.

Consistent and stable individual differences were observed in the renal responses of water-loaded dogs during the development of Pavlovian conditional motor defense reflexes by electrocutaneous reinforcement. Some dogs developed persistent and intense conditional antidiuretic responses (with a high urine osmolality) to the entire Pavlovian conditioning room complex, whereas other dogs failed to exhibit conditional antidiuresis. In contradistinction to the conditional motor defense reflexes, the conditional antidiuretic responses showed poor differentiation, thus demonstrating the phenomenon of schizokinesis discovered by Gantt. In addition to conditional water retention, the antidiuretic dogs also exhibited persistent hyperpnea, copious salivation and tachycardia. The physiologic responses of the antidiuretic dogs to the Pavlovian conditioning room resemble those described by Walter B. Cannon for a “fight or flight” response,i.e., physiologic reactions of animals engaged in intense muscular effort. The antidiuresis serves the function of conserving body water so that it may be available for evaporative cooling in order to maintain thermal homeostasis. Since our experimental dogs cannot engage in a consummatory “fight or flight” response, their physiologic reaction to a stressful psychologic environment can be considered maladaptive. Pharmacologic analysis suggested that the antidiuretic responses may involve cholinergic transmitters.

Conditioning of Autonomic Functions, Schizokinesis, and Psychosomatic Medicine

In Pavlovian conditioning experiments with aversive reinforcement, the animal is faced with a no-solution problem and thus cannot achieve a consummatory response. Gantt reported that in dogs, classical cardiac conditioning (to aversive stimuli) occurs more rapidly and extinction occurs more slowly than conditional motor defense responses. He referred to this phenomenon as schizokinesis. Such somatovisceral dichotomy was observed by us in regard to many other conditional visceral reactions, particularly in certain breeds of dogs. Some dogs (e.g., wirehair fox terriers, border collies, German shepherds, cocker spaniels, and some mongrels) exhibited highly generalized, almost inextinguishable conditional tachycardia, polypnea, profuse salivation, high energy metabolism, high urinary vasopressin and catecholamines, and increased muscle tension. Other dogs (most beagles and other hounds and some mongrels) exhibited very little or only temporary schizokinesis. We postulate that individuals exhibiting marked and persistent schizokinesis may be considered at risk for developing psychosomatic disorders. Suggestions for possible prophylactic therapeutic interventions will be discussed.

Stress: the role of catecholamines and other neurotransmitters (2 Volumes) Earl Usdin, Richard Kvetnansky, and Julius Axelrod (editors)

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Cardiorespiratory Orienting Responses as Predictors of Individuals at Risk for Psychovisceral Disorders

Utilizing a combination of idiographic and nomothetic research designs with repeated measures in several breeds of dogs, we discovered stable constitutional differences in psychophysiologic reactions to repeated exposure to psychologically stressful situations. Some dogs showed high psychophysiologic adaptation (HA dogs). Other dogs developed persistent psychophysiologic reactions to the psychologically aversive environment: tachycardia, polypnea, profuse salivation, high energy metabolism and muscle tension, and high urinary vasopressin and catecholamines (low adaptation or LA dogs). Retrospective analysis of the development and extinction of cardiac and respiratory orienting reflexes (OR) in these two types of dogs revealed that the LA dogs exhibit higher frequency and more intense, persistent, and highly fluctuating (poorly modulated) cardiac and respiratory OR than the HA dogs, which show rapid OR habituation and good modulation. Insofar as one may extrapolate these data to human subjects, recording dynamics of development and habituation and degree of modulation of visceral OR may facilitate early detection of individuals at risk for cardiorespiratory and other psychovisceral disorders.

From Descartes to Pavlov to Anokhin: The Evolution of General Systems Concepts in Biomedical Sciences in Eastern Europe

Rene Descartes developed a mechanistic notion of reflex action in an attempt to describe automatic acts of “soulless” machine-like “unfeeling” animals, in contrast to rational voluntary behavior of humans directed by a “soul” via the pineal gland. In contradistinction to Cartesian dualism, Pavlov introduced the monistic concept of an integrated organism (theory of nervism) and of conditional reflexes enabling all animals to modify their behavior in response to changing environmental situations. This presentation will discuss the expansion of Pavlovian psychobiology by P.K. Anokhin to include the application of systems concepts to psychophysiologic adaptation and the notion of the functional system as the basic unit of neurophysiology integration.

Pavlovian Orienting Responses as Predictors of Psychosomatic Vulnerability

This presentation describes studies on animal models which may contribute to the elucidation of the problem of early detection of individuals at risk for psychosomatic or behavioral disorders, with particular reference to the cardiovascular system.