Mechanisms & Therapeutic Effects of Relaxation Response

描述(申请人提供)：这个项目的长期目标是通过对放松反应(RR)的基础和临床研究来获得知识，RR是一种与应激相反的生理心理/身体状态，其特征是新陈代谢、血压、心跳和呼吸频率降低，脑电波减慢和大脑活动的特定变化。由于在美国，超过60%的患者就诊与压力有关，而且RR已被证明是治疗与压力相关的疾病(如高血压、疼痛和情绪障碍)的有效方法，因此RR的生化、分子和基因组基础应该得到更好的理解，并且应该更好地应用于临床。该项目旨在改善2000年和2010年健康人提出的因压力而受到不利影响的生活质量。 目前的具体目标：通过一系列随机、对照和前瞻性的研究，我们计划进一步扩大我们正在进行的项目的结果，其中包括RR对以下方面的影响：项目1-通过功能磁共振成像测量的包括可塑性和特定大脑区域的脑机制。项目2-在健康成年人中抵消急性应激影响的分子(一氧化氮)和生化(肾上腺素、去甲肾上腺素、皮质醇、ACTH、细胞因子)参数。项目3-抵消老年人急性应激影响的分子(一氧化氮)和生化(肾上腺素、去甲肾上腺素、皮质醇、ACTH、细胞因子)参数。项目4--老年患者的高血压及其降压药的减少。项目5-长期或有限RR经验的健康成年人的基因组、分子和生化参数。其他具体目标包括启动两个试点项目，这些项目也是随机、对照和前瞻性调查，包括RR对以下方面的影响：项目6--难治性癫痫的发作频率和生化参数(皮质醇和细胞因子)。项目7-乳腺癌幸存者的生活质量，包括更年期症状、情绪状态和生化参数。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long term objectives of this project are to generate knowledge through basic and clinical research on the relaxation response (RR), a physiological mind/body state opposite to that of stress that is characterized by decreased metabolism, blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, slower brain waves and specific changes in brain activity. Since over 60% of patient visits to health care professionals in the US are related to stress and, since the RR has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for stress-related disorders (such as hypertension, pain and mood disturbances), the biochemical, molecular and genomic bases of the RR should be better understood as well as should its clinical applications. This project is designed to improve the quality of life that has been adversely affected by stress as put forth in Healthy People 2000 and 2010. Current Specific Aims: Through a series of randomized, controlled, prospective investigations, we plan to extend further the results of our ongoing projects that include the RR's effects on: Project 1- brain mechanisms including plasticity and specific brain regions as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Project 2- the molecular (nitric oxide), and biochemical (epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, ACTH, cytokines) parameters that counteract the effects of acute stress in healthy adults. Project 3- the molecular (nitric oxide), and biochemical (epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, ACTH, cytokines) parameters that counteract the effects of acute stress in the elderly. Project 4- hypertension in elderly patients and on the reduction of their anti hypertensive medications. Project 5- the genomic, molecular and biochemical parameters in healthy adults with either long-term or limited RR experience. Other specific aims include the initiation of 2 pilot projects that are also both randomized, controlled, prospective investigations and include the RR's effects on: Project 6- the frequency of seizures and biochemical parameters (cortisol and cytokines) in refractory epilepsy. Project 7- the quality of life including menopausal symptoms, and mood states as well as biochemical parameters in survivors of breast cancer.