Supplemental tyrosine and vigilance performance in a normoxic hypobaric environment

Abstract

The public re(jortii.g burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection o; rnfo'rnation. including suggestions for reducing the burden, to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Exposure to stress results in a decrease in mental performance resulting from a depletion of catecholamines. This decrease can result in an increase in error rates, decreased decision making ability, mental confusion, and an overall decrease in cognitive performance. Previous studies have shown that supplemental tyrosine prevents the normal decrease due to stress.Tyrosine works by increasing the catecholamine precursor.Nine subjects were exposed to a 3-hour protocol for 4 different exposures. During each exposure, the following Stressors were used: 1) hypobaric environment (for two of the four exposures); 2) immobilization; 3) prolonged inactivity; 4) behavioral and psychophysiological testing; 5) cool temperatures and low humidity; and 6) 71 dB(A) chamber environment. Subjects completed computerized vigilance and cognitive tests and a mood questionnaire, each separated by a period of inactivity. Prior to exposure, subjects ingested either 100 mg/kg body weight of a placebo or tyrosine.Supplemental tyrosine improved response time in all of the tests where it was recorded, with all except one being significant. Motor function and overall mood also significantly improved with the use of tyrosine. As expected, no measurement showed a significant improvement in performance with supplemental oxygen alone. The use of supplemental tyrosine did not significantly improve cognitive performance. Results of the contrast sensitivity taskswere not as conclusive and no improvement was found in visual temporal acuity. and physical performance. The less control the individual has over these stresses, the greater the decrement. The decrease in performance, particularly mental performance, results from a depletion of catecholamines within the brain. This decrease, especially in norepinephrine, leads to alterations in normal brain function and an increase in error rates, decreased decision making ability, mental confusion, and an overall decrease in cognitive performance. All of these are compounded the longer the individual is unable to remove the stress. Previous studies involving rats and humans have shown that supplemental tyrosine (levels above normal dietary intake) prevent the normal decrease in performance in stressed individuals. Tyrosine, the initial precursor in catecholamine synthesis, works by increasing the availability of the precursor and thereby slowing the rate of norepinephrine depletion.Nine healthy subjects from the Colorado State University community were exposed to a 3-hour protocol that w...