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Smith, Sinclair A., Sc.D.Title: Assistant ProfessorDepartment: Department of Physiology Institution: Drexel University Mailing Address: 511 Bellet Building, 1505 Race St., Philadelphia, PA, 19102 Phone: (215) 762-6874 Website: www.drexel.edu Research InterestsHis primary research interest is the use of non-invasive techniques to study neuromuscular metabolism and function in humans.SPD Research SummaryThe purpose of our research was to determine if differences exist in sympathetic response to sensory stimuli between sensory defensive and non-defensive (control) adults, and to determine if deep tactile pressure reduces the sympathetic response to sensory stimuli. In addition we are studying metabolism in sensory-defensive and non-defensive adults using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (4 sensory-defensive and 6 non-defensive men and women, ages 37 to 62). In the no-pressure condition the initial skin conductance response following the tactile stimulus was greater for the sensory defensive (68±28%) vs. the control (20±5.6%) group (p=0.04). The pressure condition also reduced the overall peripheral blood flow response to tactile stimuli in both groups (p=0.04). The tactile stimulus results produced the greatest differences in skin conductance and peripheral blood flow responses between the sensory defensive and control groups and the pressure and no-pressure conditions. The sensory defensive group had a relatively large initial skin conductance response to tactile stimuli without a relatively large peripheral blood flow response, suggesting that sensory defensive persons may have an attenuated adrenergic sympathetic activation of the peripheral vasculature and/or an elevated cholinergic sympathetic activation of eccrine glands.Back to SPD-SWG Participants Mail this page to a friend | |
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