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INTRODUCTION In recent years Perry, Mount, and coworkers have reported their findings in experiments with the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR).1-4 They have demonstrated the effects of drugs and controls in standardization experiments, and the results have consistently shown a rise in GSR level after sweat-stimulating drugs and a fall after sweat-inhibiting compounds. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of the same drugs on the GSR in atopicdermatitis and compare their reactions with controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS The test group included 20 subjects (10 normal and 10 with atopic dermatitis). The normal individuals were college students ranging in age from 18-28. The atopics varied in age from 25-55, and all were hospitalized in a Veterans hospital for treatment of their skin disease. Their selection was based on the following criteria as outlined by Pillsbury, Shelley, and Kligman.5 All subjects had dermatitis intermittently and for varying periods

In 1888 Féré1 described an electrical response of the skin called the psychogalvanic reflex or galvanic skin response (GSR). This is most frequently measured as a change in resistance to a direct current of electricity. Subsequent studies with this phenomenon have resulted in a variety of claims about its site of action and its practical value.Three theories have been proposed to account for the observed changes. One theory relates the response to muscular activity, another to vasomotor changes, and a third to the sweat glands. At the present time most of the evidence indicates that the GSR is dependent on the sweat glands, more specifically, on some presecretory change in these glands.2 This relationship to sweat glands stimulated our interest in the possibility of adapting the GSR to study the effects of drugs which directly or indirectly affect sweat gland function.Recently Perry and

Controlled study of the galvanic skin response (GSR) in ten psoriasis subjects has shown an increased skin resistance and a decreased reactivity to certain sweat stimulating and sweat inhibiting drugs.

IntroductionIn recent years standardization experiments with the galvanic skin response (GSR) have shown a correlation with drug stimulation or suppression of sweat glands.1-5 When sweat-stimulating drugs were used, the skin resistance was lowered and the GSR level rose. Contrarily, when these glands were suppressed by sweat-inhibiting compounds, the resistance was increased and the GSR level fell. These results have been repeatedly observed in normal subjects under varying experimental conditions. The observations suggest the possibility that the GSR level might be effected by abnormal changes in sweat electrolytes. Cystic fibrosis is a disease which is characterized by increased sweat electrolyte concentration.6-8 Therefore, the present study was undertaken to examine the relationship in a series of cystic fibrosis patients.Materials and MethodsThe experimental series consisted of 12 cystic fibrosis patients and 22 controls. The 12 cystic fibrosis subjects varied from 1-16 in age (average 9.5) including five males

In a previous study Perry and Mount found a significant increase in resistance level in 10 subjects following intramuscularly administered atropine as compared to a placebo injection.1 In each subject the placebo was given before atropine. The results of subsequent studies indicate that the magnitude of the order effects is not sufficient to alter the general form of the results for any of the drugs considered to date.* In the present study the effect on skin resistance of injections of methantheline bromide (Banthine) and propantheline bromide (Pro-Banthine) have been compared to a placebo.The subjects were 10 normal white males ranging from 19 to 35 years of age. Each subject received one injection in each of three experimental periods. The time between the experiments varied from 3 to 15 days. The injections consisted of 10 mg. of methantheline bromide and 5 mg. of propantheline