Effects of Intravenous Infusions of Adrenaline and Noradrenaline on Certain Psychological and Physiological Functions

Abstract

Abstract F rankenhaeuser M., G. J arpe G. M atell . Effects of intravenous infusions of adrenaline and noradrenaline on certain psychological and physiological functions. Effects of intravenously infused 1‐adrenaline (average dose 14.9 μg/min, average infusion time 34.7 min) and 1‐noradrenaline (average dose 16.2 μg/min, average infusion time 36.8 min) were examined by objective methods in six subjects. The psychological tasks were chosen so as to represent different functional areas. Heart rate and arterial blood pressure were continuously recorded, and excretion of urinary catechols before, during and after infusions was determined. Both drugs produced subjective symptoms (mental and physiological), and these were more pronounced and more frequent for adrenaline. Marked changes in heart rate and arterial pressure were recorded during the infusions. The stress involved in performing the psychological tasks also caused a pronounced increase in heart rate, arterial pressure and the urinary excretion of catechols. Performance did not differ significantly from that during the infusion of Ringer's solution. These results were tentatively interpreted to indicate that an increased alertness accompanying the emotional changes produced by the drugs may act to counterbalance other, unfavourable effects on performance.