Abstract

EFFECTS OF MILD UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT ILLNESSES AND INCREASED NORADRENALINE ON THE COVERT ORIENTATION OF ATTENTION

Andrew P. Smith*

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Abstract

Background: The aetiology and pathogenesis of mild upper respiratory tract illnesses (MURTIS) have been frequently described. These illnesses lead to malaise, manifesting as fatigue, impaired performance, and reduced well-being. A specific aspect of this, the covert orientation of attention, was examined in the present study. Methods: Eighty-one participants completed the study (duration 10 weeks), 17 developed MURTIS, and the others were re-tested as healthy controls. Of the I7 volunteers with MURTIS, eight were given Idazoxan, nine were given a placebo, and of the 64 control participants without a MURTI, 26 were given Idazoxan, and 38 were given a placebo. Results: The results confirmed that having a MURTI was associated with slower reaction times, but neither having a MURTI nor drug conditions interacted with task conditions. Conclusion: Individuals with a MURTI responded more slowly in the Posner cueing task. However, there were no interactions with cueing conditions. Similarly, the noradrenergic drug Idazoxan did not have selective effects in the covert orientation task.

Keywords: Mild upper respiratory tract illnesses (MURTIS); Reaction time; Posner cueing task; Covert orientation of attention.