Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Relationships between catecholamine or 3-methoxy 4-hydroxy phenylglycol changes and the mental performance under submaximal exercise in man

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Psychopharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Eleven young students were tested to determine the relationship between the improvement of mental performances observed under prolonged submaximal work and central or peripheral catecholamine changes. The subjects pedaled a bicycle ergometer for 1 h at a work load individually calculated to approximate 75% of maximal oxygen uptake. The mental test, consisting of 1-h sessions of time-limited word tests and arithmetical calculations, required a high degree of concentration (vigilance and short-term memory). Catecholamines [epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA)], metanephrine (MN), normetanephrine (NMN) and the glucuronide conjugate of 3-methoxy 4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were assayed in urine to assess peripheral activity: E and MN as indexes of adrenomedullary secretion, NE, NMN and MHPG glucuronide as markers of NE metabolism in sympathetic nerves. Urinary MHPG sulfate was determined as a possible marker of central noradrenergic metabolism. When compared to the effect of single tests, the combination of prolonged submaximal work and mental task induced significant increases in MHPG sulfate and E+MN excretions. Both these increases were correlated each to one another and also correlated to the number of discriminated words. Altogether, the present data show that prolonged submaximal work under mental load activates catecholamine systems and suggest that a relationship exists between adrenomedullary activation and the improvement of mental performance. Based on literature data, the possible modulatory role of peripheral E on mental processes and central noradrenergic activity is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akerstedt T, Gillberg M, Hjemdahl P, Sigurdson K, Gustavsson I, Daleskog M, Pollare T (1983) Comparison of urinary and plasma catecholamine responses to mental stress. Acta Physiol Scand 117:19–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Banister EW, Griffiths J (1972) Blood levels of adrenergic amines during exercise. J Appl Physiol 33:674–676

    Google Scholar 

  • Bard C, Fleury M (1978) Influence of imposed metabolic fatigue on visual capacity component. Percept Mot Skills 47:1283–1287

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloch V (1970) Facts and hypotheses concerning memory consolidation. Brain Res 24:561–575

    Google Scholar 

  • Bond PA, Howlett DR (1974) Measurement of the two conjugates of 3-methoxy 4-hydroxyphenylglycol in urine. Biochem Med 10:219–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown BS, Payne T, Kim C, Moore G, Krebs P, Martin W (1979) Chronic response of rat brain norepinephrine and serotonin levels to endurance training. J Appl Physiol 46:19–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Bugat R, Fourcade J (1981) Vigilance and mental performance. In: Randomski MW, Defayolle MAJ (eds) Physiological, psychological and biochemical aspects of a daily sustained submaximal exercise Franco-Canadian Accord, Toronto 2:I.2-I.30

    Google Scholar 

  • Craft D (1983) Effect of prior exercises on cognitive performance tasks by hyperactive and normal young boys. Percept Mot Skills 56:979–982

    Google Scholar 

  • Dell P, Bonvallet M (1957) Adrenaline et noradrenaline dans les mécanismes nerveux centraux. In: L'adrénaline et la noradrénaline dans la régulation des fonctions homéostasiques. Colloque du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, pp 235–250

  • Ebert MH, Post RM, Goodwin FK (1972) Effect of physical activity on urinary MHPG excretion on depressed patients. Lancet II:766

    Google Scholar 

  • Edvinsson L, Lacombe P, Owman Ch, Reynier-Rebuffel AM, Seylaz J (1979) Quantitative changes in regional cerebral blood flow of rats induced by alpha- and beta-adrenergic stimulants. Acta Physiol Scand 107:289–296

    Google Scholar 

  • Fibiger W, Evans O, Singer G (1986) Hormonal responses of graded mental workload. Eur J Appl Physiol 55:339–343

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleury M, Bard C, Carriere L (1981) Effects of physical or perceptual work loads on a coincidence/anticipation task. Percept Mot Skills 53:843–850

    Google Scholar 

  • Flynn R (1972) Numerical performance as a function of prior exercise and aerobic capacity for elementary school boys. Research Quarterly 43:16–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankenhaeuser M (1971) Behavior and circulating catecholamines. Brain Res 31:241–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankenhaeuser M (1979) Psychoneuroendocrine approaches to the study of emotion as related to stress and coping. In: Howe HE, Dienstbier RA (eds) Nebraska Symposium on Motivation, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, pp 123–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankenhaeuser M, Järpe G (1963) Psychophysiological changes during infusions of adrenaline in various doses. Psychopharmacologia 4:424–432

    Google Scholar 

  • Galbo H, Holst JJ, Christensen NJ (1975) Glucagon and plasma catecholamine responses to graded and prolonged exercise in man. J Appl Physiol 38:70–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon R, Spector S, Sjoerdsma A, Udenfriend S (1966) Increased synthesis of norepinephrine and epinephrine in the intact rat during exercise and exposure to cold. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 153:440–447

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutin B, Di Gennaro J (1968) Effect of one minute and five minute steps-ups on performance of simple addition. Research Quarterly 39:81–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Introini-Collison IB, McGaugh JL (1986) Epinephrine modulates long-term retention of an aversively-motivated discrimination task. Behav Neurol Biol 45:358–365

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson G, Frankenhauser M, Magnusson D (1973) Catecholamine output in school children as related to performance and adjustment. Scand J Psychol 14:20–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan GP, Hartman BK, Creveling CR (1981) Immunohistochemical localization of catechol. O. methyltransferase in circum ventricular organs of the rat: potential variations in the blood brain barrier to native catechols. Brain Res 229:323–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Kopin IJ (1978) Measuring turnover of neurotransmitters in human brain. In: Lipton MA, Di Mascio A, Killam KF (eds) Psychopharmacology: a generation of progress. Raven, New York, pp 1845–1847

    Google Scholar 

  • Kopin IJ (1985) Catecholamine metabolism: basic aspects and clinical significance. Pharmacol Rev 37:333–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Langer SZ (1977) Presynaptic receptors and their role in the regulation of transmitter release. Br J Pharmacol 60:481–497

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang KC, Bennett C, McGaugh JL (1985) Peripheral epinephrine modulates the effects of post-training amygdala stimulation on memory. Behav Brain Res 15:93–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Lulofs R, Wennekens R, Van Houtem J (1981) Effect of physical stress and time-pressure on performance. Percept Mot Skills 52:787–793

    Google Scholar 

  • Lybrand W, Andrews T, Ross S (1954) Systemic fatigue and perceptual organization. Am J Psychol 67:704–707

    Google Scholar 

  • Maas JW, Hattox SE, Greene NM, Landis DH (1979) 3-methoxy 4-hydroxy phenethyleneglycol production by humain brain invivo. Science 205:1025–1027

    Google Scholar 

  • McGaugh JL (1985) Peripheral and central adrenergic influences on brain systems involved in the modulation of memory storage. Ann NY Acad Sci 444:150–161

    Google Scholar 

  • McGaugh JL, Liang KC, Bennett C, Sternberg DB (1984) Adrenergic influences on memory storage: interaction of peripheral and central systems. In: Lynch G, McGaugh JL, Weinberger NM (eds) Guilford, New York, pp 313–328

    Google Scholar 

  • McGlynn GH, Laughlin N, Benda V (1977) Effect of strenuous to exhaustive exercise on a discrimination task. Percept Mot Skills 4:1139–1147

    Google Scholar 

  • McGlynn GH, Laughlin NT, Row V (1979) The effect of increasing levels of exercise on mental performance. Ergonomics 22, 4:407–414

    Google Scholar 

  • Majewski H (1983) Modulation of noradrenaline release through activation of presynaptic β-adrenoreceptors. J Auton Pharmacol 3:47–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason ST (1980) Noradrenaline and selective attention: a review of the model and the evidence. Life Sci 27:617–631

    Google Scholar 

  • Pequignot JM, Peyrin L, Favier R, Flandrois R (1979a) Réponse adrénergique à l'exercise musculaire intense chez le sujet sédentaire en fonction de l'émotivité et de l'entraînement. Eur J Appl Physiol 40:117–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Pequignot JM, Peyrin L, Mayet MH, Flandrois R (1979b) Metabolic adrenergic changes during submaximal exercise and in the recovery period in man. J Appl Physiol 47:701–705

    Google Scholar 

  • Peyrin L, Pequignot JM (1983) Free and conjugated 3-methoxy 4-hydroxy phenyl glycol in human urine: peripheral origin of glucuronide. Psychopharmacology 79:16–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Peyrin L, Pequignot JM, Chauplannaz G, Laurent B, Aimard G (1985) Sulfate and glucuronide conjugates of 3 methoxy- 4-hydroxy phenyl glycol (MHPG) in urine of depressed patients: central and peripheral influences. J Neural Transm 63:255–269

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell RR (1982) Technique for differentiating cortical hemispheric activity following exercise. Percept Mot Skills 54:923–932

    Google Scholar 

  • Ransford CP (1982) A role for amines in the antidepressant effect of exercise: a review. Med Sci Sports Exerc 14:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Rauste-Von Wright M, Von Wright J, Frankenhauser M (1981) Relationships between sex-related psychological characteristics during adolescence and catecholamine excretion during achievement stress. Psychophysiology 18:362–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Renskers KH, Feor KD, Roth JA (1980) Sulfation of dopamine and other biogenic amines by human brain phenol sulfotransferase. J Neurochem 34:1362–1368

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg DB, Korol D, Novack GD, McGaugh JL (1986) Epinephrine-induced memory facilitation: attenuation by adrenoreceptors antagonists. Eur J Pharmacol 129:189–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Stone EA (1973) Accumulation and metabolism of norepinephrine in rat hypothalamus after exhaustive stress. J Neurochem 21:589–601

    Google Scholar 

  • Ueda H, Goshima Y, Kubo T, Misu Y (1985) Involvement of epinephrine in the presynaptic beta adrenoreceptor mechanism of norepinephrine release from rat hypothalamic slices. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 232:507–512

    Google Scholar 

  • Zornetzer SF (1978) Neurotransmitter modulation and memory: a new neuropharmacological phrenology. In: Lipton MA, Di Mascio A, Killam KF (eds) Psychopharmacology: a generation of progress, Raven, New York, pp 637–649

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Physiologie A, UA CNRS 1196, Faculté de Médecine, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, F-69373, Lyon Cedex 08, France

    L. Peyrin & J. M. Pequignot

  2. Physiologie, GIP Exercice, Faculté de Médecine, St Etienne, France

    J. R. Lacour

  3. Division de Psychologie, CRSSA, Boulevard Pinel, F-69373, Lyon Cedex 08, France

    J. Fourcade

Authors
  1. L. Peyrin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. M. Pequignot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. R. Lacour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Fourcade
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Peyrin, L., Pequignot, J.M., Lacour, J.R. et al. Relationships between catecholamine or 3-methoxy 4-hydroxy phenylglycol changes and the mental performance under submaximal exercise in man. Psychopharmacology 93, 188–192 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00179932

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00179932

Key words

Search

Navigation