Psychosocial Adversity, Dopaminergic Function, and the Acute Stress Response (1 CE)

Number of Credits:  1

This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Counselors, and Nurses

Course By: Joel Austin, PharmD

Content By: Bloomfield, M., McCutcheon, R., Kempton, M., Freeman, T., Howes, O. (2019). The effects of psychosocial stress on dopaminergic function and the acute stress response. eLife, 8 (46797). https://elifesciences.org/articles/46797

Course Description: Individuals who suffer from mental illness show an increased vulnerability for experiencing episodes when presented with chronic psychosocial adversity.  Researchers believe that, through previous animal studies, the reason for this vulnerability is demonstrated in the dopaminergic pathway.  The current study investigates long-term exposure to psychosocial adversity and whether physiological responses to this stress can induce dopaminergic dysfunction.  Acute stress was introduced to patients in the study and was followed by PET scanning focused on the physiological production of dopamine and its resultant actions.  Dopamine synthesis correlated with threat response to acute psychosocial stress in the experimental group.  Future studies can further this research by investigating the role that dopamine plays in larger populations to assess its role in mental illness vulnerability.  

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the central aim and two key findings of the current study.
2. Identify two limitations of the current study and consider the implications of these limitations in the context of future research in this area.
3. Identify two strengths the current study and consider these strengths in the context of internal and external validity of the study.

Course Outline:  

• Read and understand The effects of psychosocial stress on dopaminergic function and the acute stress response
• Review the Course Descriptions and Learning Objectives
• Consider the factors related to dopamine production and effects on release by bouts of acute and chronic stress
• Work through the post-test questions; keep in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective article
• Return to the referenced article to better understand the relationship between acute stress and the dopaminergic pathway

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