The Galvanic Skin Response Inhibition Threshold: A Preliminary Study with an Australian Sample

Abstract

SYNOPSWGalvanic skin response (G.S.R) inhibition thresholds, giving an index of barbiturate tolerance, were determined for 20 depressive and 10 normal subjects. Barbiturate tolerance was found to effectively differentiate neurotic from psychotic depressives, and b d h these groups from normal cootrols. Neurotic depressives generally exhibited high GS.R. inhibition thresholds relative to normals, while psychotic depressives exhibited low thresholds relative to normals. These results are discussed in t e r n of previous research on the sedation threshold.The G.S.R. inhibition threshold was found in some groups, to be systematically influenced by manifest anxiety. However, neither depressive severity nor age influenced barbiturate tolerance. Some potential clinical and experimental uses of the G.S.R inhibition threshold are discussed.

Some Preliminary Observations on a Questionnaire Technique for Classifying Depressive Illness: Its Relationship with Clinical Diagnosis and a Biological Technique for Depressive Classification

“…inhibition thresholds, expressed in terms of milligrams of sodium thiopentone per kilogram body weight, were obtained for all subjects, employing a technique described by Byrne & Tottman (1974). The threshold range for the entire sample ( N = 30), was 1.10 to 6.10 milligrams sodium thiopentone per kilogram body weight.…”

“…Inhibition Threshold Value (Perez-Reyes, 1968). This is a pharmacological measure of barbiturate drug tolerance which has been found to reliably and objectively distinguish between clinically defined groups of neurotic and psychotic depressives (Perez-Reyes & Cochrane, 1967;Byrne & Tottman, 1974). Neurotic depressives are found to exhibit a characteristically high barbiturate tolerance, while psychotic depressives exhibit a characteristically low barbiturate tolerance, both relative to normals (Perez-Reyes, 1968).…”

“…The G.S.R. inhibition thresholds for both patient and control groups, was obtained according to a method described by Byrne & Tottman (1974).…”