Search

Piloerection (e.g., goosebumps) is an essential thermoregulatory and social signaling mechanism in non‐human animals. Although humans also experience piloerection—often being perceived as an indicator of profound emotional experiences—its comparatively less effective role in thermoregulation and communication might influence our capacity to monitor its occurrence. We present three studies (total N = 617) demonstrating participants' general inability to detect their own piloerection events and their lack of awareness that piloerection occurs with a similar frequency on multiple anatomical locations. Self‐reported goosebumps were more frequent than observed piloerection. However, only 31.8% of self‐reports coincided with observable piloerection, a bias unrelated to piloerection intensity, anatomical location, heart‐rate variability, or interoceptive awareness. We also discovered a self‐report bias for the forearm, contradicting the observation that piloerection occurs with equal frequency on multiple anatomical locations. Finally, there was low correspondence between self‐reports of being "emotionally moved" and observed piloerection. These counterintuitive findings not only highlight a disconnect between an obvious physiological response and our capacity for self‐monitoring, but they underscore a fascinating divergence between human and non‐human species. Although piloerection is vital in non‐human organisms, the connection between piloerection and psychological experience in humans may be less significant than previously assumed, possibly due to its diminished evolutionary relevance. This research reveals a striking dissociation between an obvious physiological response—piloerection—and human capacity for self‐perception. Although this highlights the limitations of relying on self‐report measures, it also underscores an important divergence between humans and non‐human species. We propose that the relation between piloerection and psychological experience in humans is less pronounced than in other species, potentially due to its diminished role in human evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeling moved or touched can be accompanied by tears, goosebumps, and sensations of warmth in the centre of the chest. The experience has been described frequently, but psychological science knows little about it. We propose that labelling one's feeling as being moved or touched is a component of a social-relational emotion that we term kama muta (its Sanskrit label). We hypothesise that it is caused by appraising an intensification of communal sharing relations. Here, we test this by investigating people's moment-to-moment reports of feeling moved and touched while watching six short videos. We compare these to six other sets of participants' moment-to-moment responses watching the same videos: respectively, judgements of closeness (indexing communal sharing), reports of weeping, goosebumps, warmth in the centre of the chest, happiness, and sadness. Our eighth time series is expert ratings of communal sharing. Time series analyses show strong and consistent cross-correlations of feeling moved and touched and closeness with each other and with each of the three physiological variables and expert-rated communal sharing - but distinctiveness from happiness and sadness. These results support our model.

This paper provides an accessible review of the biological and psychological evidence to guide new and experienced researchers in the study of emotional piloerection in humans. A limited number of studies have attempted to examine the physiological and emotional correlates of piloerection in humans. However, no review has attempted to collate this evidence to guide the field as it moves forward. We first discuss the mechanisms and function of non-emotional and emotional piloerection in humans and animals. We discuss the biological foundations of piloerection as a means to understand the similarities and differences between emotional and non-emotional piloerection. We then present a systematic qualitative review (k = 24) in which we examine the physiological correlates of emotional piloerection. The analysis revealed that indices of sympathetic activation are abundant, suggesting emotional piloerection occurs with increased (phasic) skin conductance and heart rate. Measures of parasympathetic activation are lacking and no definite conclusions can be drawn. Additionally, several studies examined self-reported emotional correlates, and these correlates are discussed in light of several possible theoretical explanations for emotional piloerection. Finally, we provide an overview of the methodological possibilities available for the study of piloerection and we highlight some pressing questions researchers may wish to answer in future studies. • Provides an overview of biological and psychological research on piloerection • Summarises the main physiological correlates of emotional piloerection • Summarises emotional correlates of emotional piloerection • Provides an overview of methodological possibilities for studying emotional piloerection • Identifies questions for future research to answer [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Late-onset epilepsy (LOE) has recently become a topic of intense research. Besides stroke, tumors, and dementia, autoimmune encephalitis (AE) has emerged as another possible cause of recurrent seizures in the elderly, and may account for a proportion of cases of LOE of unknown origin (LOEUO). This 24-h ambulatory electroencephalography (AEEG)-based study compared patients with LOEUO and AE to identify features suggestive of immune-mediated seizures in the elderly. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 232 AEEG examinations performed in patients over 55 years with ≥6-month follow-up, and selected 21 subjects with AE and 25 subjects with LOEUO. Clinical charts and AEEG recordings were carefully analyzed. Results: Twenty-five patients with LOEUO (12 women, mean age at onset 67.9 years) and 21 AE subjects (8 women, mean age at onset 65.7 years) were enrolled. High-frequency seizures were reported in 20/21 AE and 7/25 LOEUO cases (p < 0.00001). Focal aware seizures were more common in AE (14/21 vs. 6/25, p = 0.00058), whereas "isolated" focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures occurred in 5/25 patients with LOEUO only (p = 0.053). AE subjects reported ictal autonomic manifestations more frequently (p = 0.0033). Three-hundred-seventy and 24 seizures were recorded in 13/21 patients with AE and 3/25 patients with LOEUO, respectively (p = 0.0006). Interictal epileptiform discharges were observed in 70% of both groups, but their sleep activation was more common in AE (p = 0.06). Conclusion: Our study shows that high-frequency focal seizures with autonomic manifestations should raise the suspicion of AE in the elderly with new-onset seizures. It also highlights the relevant contribution of AEEG, which might reduce the diagnostic delay and provide useful clues to recognize AE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research provides an in-depth exploration into the triggers and corresponding autonomic responses of piloerection, a phenomenon prevalent across various species. In non-human species, piloerection occurs in reaction to a variety of environmental changes, including social interactions and temperature shifts. However, its understanding in humans has been confined to emotional contexts. This is problematic because it reflects solely upon subjective experience rather than an objective response to the environment. Further, given our shared evolutionary paths, piloerection should function similarly in humans and other animals. I observed 1198 piloerection episodes from eight participants while simultaneously recording multiple autonomic and body temperature indices, finding that piloerection in humans can be elicited by thermal, tactile, and audio-visual stimuli with equal effectiveness. The data also revealed variations in cardiac reactivity measures: audio-visual piloerection was associated with greater sympathetic arousal, while tactile piloerection was linked to greater parasympathetic arousal. Despite prevailing notions of piloerection as a vestigial response in humans, it does respond to decreases in skin temperature and is associated with a rise in skin temperature during episodes. This research underscores that piloerection in humans is not purely vestigial, nor is it solely an affective response to emotional stimuli. Rather, it is best understood as a reflexive response to environmental changes, suggesting a shared functional similarity with other species., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2024. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

IntroductionLate-onset epilepsy (LOE) has recently become a topic of intense research. Besides stroke, tumors, and dementia, autoimmune encephalitis (AE) has emerged as another possible cause of recurrent seizures in the elderly, and may account for a proportion of cases of LOE of unknown origin (LOEUO). This 24-h ambulatory electroencephalography (AEEG)-based study compared patients with LOEUO and AE to identify features suggestive of immune-mediated seizures in the elderly.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed 232 AEEG examinations performed in patients over 55 years with ≥6-month follow-up, and selected 21 subjects with AE and 25 subjects with LOEUO. Clinical charts and AEEG recordings were carefully analyzed.ResultsTwenty-five patients with LOEUO (12 women, mean age at onset 67.9 years) and 21 AE subjects (8 women, mean age at onset 65.7 years) were enrolled. High-frequency seizures were reported in 20/21 AE and 7/25 LOEUO cases (p < 0.00001). Focal aware seizures were more common in AE (14/21 vs. 6/25, p = 0.00058), whereas “isolated” focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures occurred in 5/25 patients with LOEUO only (p = 0.053). AE subjects reported ictal autonomic manifestations more frequently (p = 0.0033). Three-hundred-seventy and 24 seizures were recorded in 13/21 patients with AE and 3/25 patients with LOEUO, respectively (p = 0.0006). Interictal epileptiform discharges were observed in 70% of both groups, but their sleep activation was more common in AE (p = 0.06).ConclusionOur study shows that high-frequency focal seizures with autonomic manifestations should raise the suspicion of AE in the elderly with new-onset seizures. It also highlights the relevant contribution of AEEG, which might reduce the diagnostic delay and provide useful clues to recognize AE.

Chills are a psychophysiological response that can be experienced when listening to music. They have been of particular interest in scientific research on music because of their association with emotion and pleasure. However, with the literature doubling in size since the last review on the subject, it has become increasingly difficult to gain a broad and integrated understanding of the empirical and theoretical research on music-evoked chills (MECs). Notably, crucial questions remain about the criteria that are necessary and sufficient to characterize MECs. In this article, we systematically review the literature on MECs to reconcile diverging opinions and empirical findings on their psychological nature, and to develop a preliminary model that provides a robust framework for future hypothesis-driven research. We explore the context behind current research on MECs, discuss how they relate to emotional and esthetic responses, assess current empirical measures and paradigms, summarize their physiological and neural correlates, categorize their possible stimulus-driven elicitors, examine how they are affected by individual differences, and evaluate theoretical perspectives about their potential evolutionary causes. We conclude by providing a preliminary model of MECs that suggests different pathways for the experience of MECs, a dataset listing pieces of music reported to elicit MECs in the reviewed literature, and a set of open issues, hypotheses, and recommended approaches for future research. Public Significance Statement: Many people experience pleasurable physical sensations during musical listening, commonly referred to as chills. Although there is a fast-growing body of research on chills, their underlying psychological basis remains obscure, partly due to the lack of an integrated theoretical framework for understanding them and generating hypotheses. Our systematic review of 167 research reports on chills from 1980 to 2020 allows us to synthesize a preliminary model of music-evoked chills, which allows for three distinct underlying psychological mechanisms based, respectively, on arousal, expectation, and emotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In scientific and popular literature, piloerection (e.g. goosebumps) is often claimed to accompany the experience of awe, though this correlation has not been tested empirically. Using two pre-registered and independently collected samples (N = 210), we examined the objective physiological occurrence of piloerection in response to awe-inducing stimuli. Stimuli were selected to satisfy three descriptors of awe, including perceptual vastness, virtual reality, and expectancy-violating events. The stimuli reliably elicited self-reported awe to a great extent, in line with previous research. However, awe-inducing stimuli were not associated with the objective occurrence of piloerection. While participants self-reported high levels of goosebumps and "the chills," there was no physical evidence of this response. These results suggest that piloerection is not reliably connected to the experience of awe—at least using stimuli known to elicit awe in an experimental setting. • It is often claimed that goosebumps are an indicator of awe, though this has not previously been tested empirically. • Across two samples, stimuli that reliably elicits awe does not consistently elicit goosebumps. • Multiple operationalisations and measures of awe were used, and goosebumps were observed objectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volitional control of piloerection has been previously reported in a small subset of individuals. Although this ability may be useful to study the mechanism underlying piloerection, there is little existing research on this ability, neither objective evidence at a group-level, nor information about its stability under experimental constraints. The present study aimed to validate existing findings of voluntarily generated piloerection (VGP) and to examine its potential contribution to neuroscientific research based on objective evidence of this ability. In Study 1, to confirm the characteristics of VGP reported in previous studies and identify individuals with VGP capability, an online survey of VGP candidates was conducted. In Study 2, 18 VGP holders participated in a mail-based piloerection measurement experiment, and the nature of VGP was examined based on the objective data obtained by image-based analysis (GooseLab). Study 1 largely confirmed the characteristics of VGP reported in previous studies, and Study 2 demonstrated VGP at a group-level and provided information about the temporal characteristics of this ability, which supports the utility of VGP in neuroscientific research. For some participants, VGP appeared to be emotionally promoted, which suggests that VGP has some relationship with the emotional nature of involuntary piloerection. Although the studies did not tightly control the environment in which VGP was elicited, the findings nonetheless demonstrate the possible contribution of VGP to elucidating the mechanism of involuntary emotional piloerection and the neural basis of piloerection itself.

The volitional control of piloerection has been previously reported in a small subset of individuals. Although this ability may be useful to study the mechanism underlying piloerection, there is little existing research on this ability, neither objective evidence at a group-level, nor information about its stability under experimental constraints. The present study aimed to validate existing findings of voluntarily generated piloerection (VGP) and to examine its potential contribution to neuroscientific research based on objective evidence of this ability. In Study 1, to confirm the characteristics of VGP reported in previous studies and identify individuals with VGP capability, an online survey of VGP candidates was conducted. In Study 2, 18 VGP holders participated in a mail-based piloerection measurement experiment, and the nature of VGP was examined based on the objective data obtained by image-based analysis (GooseLab). Study 1 largely confirmed the characteristics of VGP reported in previous studies, and Study 2 demonstrated VGP at a group-level and provided information about the temporal characteristics of this ability, which supports the utility of VGP in neuroscientific research. For some participants, VGP appeared to be emotionally promoted, which suggests that VGP has some relationship with the emotional nature of involuntary piloerection. Although the studies did not tightly control the environment in which VGP was elicited, the findings nonetheless demonstrate the possible contribution of VGP to elucidating the mechanism of involuntary emotional piloerection and the neural basis of piloerection itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiparkinsonian effects of dicholine succinate (intranasalapplication of 0.25.0 mg/kg) was studied in the C57Bl/6 micemodel of parkinsonism caused by a single i.p. injection of25 mg/kg 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP). Dicholine succinate was found to be characterized bysignificant antiparkinsonian effects, as indicated by reduction ofakinesia in the open field test horizontal locomotor activity(0.2, 1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg) and reduction of muscle rigidityassessed through the step length (1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg). However,dicholine succinate did not exhibit any effect on such majorMPTP-induced parkinsonian symptoms as tremor, piloerection,latero- and retropulsion.

In this paper, we find effective feature values for skin texture as captured by a non-contact camera to monitor piloerection on the skin to estimate emotion. Piloerection is observed as goose bumps on the skin when a person is emotionally moved or scared. This phenomenon is caused by the contraction of the arrector pili muscles with the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Piloerection changes skin texture, because of which we think it effective to examine skin texture to estimate the subject's emotions. Skin texture is important in the cosmetic industry to evaluate skin condition. Therefore, we thought that it will be effective to evaluate the condition of skin texture for emotion estimation. Evaluations were performed by extracting effective feature values from skin textures captured by using a high-resolution camera, where these feature values should be highly correlated with the degree of piloerection. The results showed that the feature value "the standard deviation of short-line inclination angles in texture" was satisfactorily correlated with the degree of piloerection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To comprehensively analyze ictal piloerection (IP) in a large number of subjects.Methods: We performed a systematic review on case report studies of patients diagnosed with IP (1929-2017) with additional cases included from the Department of Neurology of University of Pécs, the National Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, and Odense University Hospital. Each included case was characterized regarding patient history, IP seizure characteristics, diagnostic work-up, and therapy. Comparative analyses were also carried out based on sex and pathology.Results: Altogether, 109 cases were included. We observed a strong male predominance (p < 0.001). The mean age at onset of epilepsy was 39.5 ± 20.7 years (median: 38, IQR:24-57). The seizure onset zone was temporal (p < 0.001), and was lateralized to the ipsilateral hemisphere in unilateral localization (p = 0.001). The seizure was accompanied by cold shiver in 53%, and by other autonomic symptoms in 47% of cases. In 53% of patients, IP never progressed into complex partial or generalized tonic-clonic seizure; 16% of the patients reported occasional, and 31% regular generalization. Seizure frequency was higher among females (median:25/day, IQR:3-60) than among males (median:3/day, IQR:1-11) (p = 0.017). The two most common underlying pathologies were limbic encephalitis (23%) and astrocytoma (23%, among them 64% WHO III-IV astrocytoma).Conclusion: IP was particularly associated with autoimmune encephalitis and high-grade glioma, suggesting IP's particular clinical importance in directing diagnostic work-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Approximately 40% of women experience excessive hair shedding when washing their hair. Previously, we have demonstrated that a topically applied α1 adrenergic receptor agonist can be used to contract the arrector pili muscle of the follicular unit (ie, produce "goose bumps"), increasing the force required to pluck hair by as much as 400%. Subsequently, we reported a topical cosmetic solution containing an α1 adrenergic receptor agonist that reduced hair shedding during brushing by a maximum of 77%. Aims: In this communication, we explore a novel mechanism to contract the arrector pili muscle. Trace amine‐associated receptors (TAAR) have been shown to regulate smooth muscle tone in blood vessels, but have not been reported to be present in the skin. Here, we report on the anti‐shedding efficacy of a shampoo containing a selective TAAR agonist, tyramine hydrochloride. Methods: A single‐blinded crossover study was designed to test the efficacy of the novel shampoo versus placebo in reducing hairs lost during brushing. Results: In this study, the novel TAAR shampoo reduced hair shedding during brushing by 31% in a cohort of 24 women with a maximum reduction of 77%. Conclusions: A shampoo formulated with a selective TAAR agonist was demonstrated to contract the arrector pili muscle and reduce hair shedding subsequent to washing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piloerection is an involuntary erection of body hairs that usually has physiological correlates such as cold or a strong emotional experience. Piloerection may also be a rare manifestation of seizure. Here, we report a case of 54-year-old man who experienced pilomotor seizures from temporal lobe epilepsy. The patient presented with sudden piloerection and no loss of consciousness many times a day. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed three lesions in the right hemisphere, with the largest lesion in the right temporal lobe. A video-EEG showed an ictal discharge in the delta range with right temporal onset. Digital subtraction angiography excluded arteriovenous malformation. The lesion in the right temporal lobe was resected. Immunohistochemistry confirmed a cerebral cavernous malformation. There was no further seizure. A review of the published literature revealed that ictal piloerection as a lone manifestation is rare. Most cases of pilomotor seizure originate in the temporal lobe. Close to four fifth of the cases has a structural lesion. EEG was able to confirm the diagnosis of ictal piloerection in the majority of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Approximately 40% of women experience excessive hair shedding during styling (e.g., hair brushing). Previously, we demonstrated that topically applied phenylephrine, a potent α1 adrenergic receptor agonist, can be used to contract the arrector pili muscle of the follicular unit; thus, increasing the force required to pluck hair and reducing shedding during brushing. While demonstrating efficacy, phenylephrine has several drawbacks when applied to the scalp, including the possibility cardiovascular events. We hypothesized that a high concentration of a weak α1 agonist would allow for: (a) rapid penetration through the stratum corneum eliciting a quick response; (b) a low probability of cardiac adverse events owing to the low receptor binding affinity; and (c) an efficacy of the weak α1 agonist similar to that of phenylephrine at the local site of application. Accordingly, we developed a novel topical solution, AB‐102, containing a high concentration of a weak α1 agonist. Several studies were conducted to test the safety and efficacy of AB‐102. In a dose escalating safety study, utilizing a wearable holter monitor, we observed no cardiac or hemodynamic adverse events. In addition, in a controlled efficacy study, AB‐102 reduced the number of hairs shed during brushing by up to 77% (average of 38%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article assesses the effectiveness of differentiated application of magnetic therapy and piloerection in adolescents with the syndrome of a vegetative dystonia with connective tissue dysplasia.

It is a common experience--and well established experimentally-that music can engage us emotionally in a compelling manner. The mechanisms underlying these experiences are receiving increasing scrutiny. However, the extent to which other domains of aesthetic experience can similarly elicit strong emotions is unknown. Using psychophysiology, neuroimaging and behavioral responses, we show that recited poetry can act as a powerful stimulus for eliciting peak emotional responses, including chills and objectively measurable goosebumps that engage the primary reward circuitry. Importantly, while these responses to poetry are largely analogous to those found for music, their neural underpinnings show important differences, specifically with regard to the crucial role of the nucleus accumbens. We also go beyond replicating previous music-related studies by showing that peak aesthetic pleasure can co-occur with physiological markers of negative affect. Finally, the distribution of chills across the trajectory of poems provides insight into compositional principles of poetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This psychophysiological study is the first to examine the relationship between emotional tears and emotional piloerection (i.e., goosebumps). Although both phenomena have been related to peak states of being moved, details about their temporal occurrence and the associated levels of physiological arousal have remained unknown. In our study, we used emotionally powerful film scenes that were self-selected by participants. Our findings show that even within peak moments of emotional arousal, a gradation of intensity is possible. The overlap of tears and goosebumps signifies a maximal climax within peak moments. On the side of the stimulus, we found that displays of prosocial behavior play a crucial role in the elicitation of tears and goosebumps. Finally, based on the results of a formal film analysis of the tears-eliciting clips provided by our participants, as compared to randomly extracted, equally long control clips from the same films, we show how the technical and artistic making of the clips was optimized for the display of social interaction and emotional expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ictal piloerection is a rare seizure manifestation and usually reported with temporal lobe epilepsy. There was no specific etiology associated with pilomotor seizures which were described in a wide variety of lesional as well as nonlesional epilepsies. This paper will review the association of piloerection and epileptic seizures and recently recognized important relationship with autoimmunity as a newly described potential etiology. Furthermore at the end of the review we will discuss the etiology, localizing and lateralizing features of our illustrative case examples with pilomotor seizures. We would like also to draw attention to sudden unexplained death in epilepsy in one of our cases with pilomotor aura who had drugresistant epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axon-reflex-based tests of peripheral small nerve fiber function including techniques to quantify vasomotor and sudomotor responses following acetylcholine iontophoresis are used in the assessment of autonomic neuropathy. However, the established axon-reflex-based techniques, laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) to assess vasomotor function and quantitative sudomotor axon-reflex test (QSART) to measure sudomotor function, are limited by technically demanding settings as well as interindividual variability and are therefore restricted to specialized clinical centers. New axon-reflex tests are characterized by quantification of axon responses with both temporal and spatial resolution and include 'laser Doppler imaging (LDI) axon-reflex flare area test' to assess vasomotor function, the quantitative direct and indirect test of sudomotor function (QDIRT) to quantify sudomotor function, as well as the quantitative pilomotor axon-reflex test (QPART), a technique to measure pilomotor nerve fiber function using adrenergic cutaneous stimulation through phenylephrine iontophoresis. The effectiveness of new axon-reflex tests in the assessment of neuropathy is currently being investigated in clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional experiences typically labelled "being moved" or "feeling touched" may belong to one universal emotion. This emotion, which has been labelled "kama muta", is hypothesised to have a positive valence, be elicited by sudden intensifications of social closeness, and be accompanied by warmth, goosebumps and tears. Initial evidence on correlations among the kama muta components has been collected with self-reports after or during the emotion. Continuous measures during the emotion seem particularly informative, but previous work allows only restricted inferences on intra-individual processes because time series were cross-correlated across samples. In the current studies, we instead use a within-subject design to replicate and extend prior work. We compute intra-individual cross-correlations between continuous self-reports on feeling moved and (1) positive and negative affect; (2) goosebumps and subjective warmth and (3) appraisals of closeness and morality. Results confirm the predictions of kama muta theory that feeling moved by intensified communal sharing cross-correlates with appraised closeness, positive affect, warmth and (less so) goosebumps, but not with negative affect. Contrary to predictions, appraised morality cross-correlated with feeling moved as much as appraised closeness did. We conclude that strong inferences on emotional processes are possible using continuous measures, replace earlier findings, and are largely in line with theorising.

Objective: To study the antihyperlipidemic effect of Angiosifa, a polyherbal formulation (PHF), in Spraguee Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: The rats were divided into seven groups, each having five animals: normal controls, high fat diet (HFD)-fed controls and HFD-fed animals treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg), petroleum ether extract of the PHF (200 and 400 mg/kg) and methanol extract of the PHF (200 and 400 mg/kg). The test and standard drugs were administered orally once daily for 28 consecutive days. During the experiment, changes in body weight were noted and alterations in biological and biochemical parameters were monitored at regular intervals. Results: HFD-fed animals showed significant increases in body weight and total cholesterol, triglyceride and VLDL levels. They also showed a significant reduction in HDL levels compared with the control and drug treatment groups. Animals treated with atorvastatin and methanol extract of PHF showed significant reductions in total cholesterol, triglyceride and VLDL levels compared with HFD-fed animals. But there was no significant hypolipidemic effect in animals treated with petroleum ether extract of PHF, and the ether caused piloerection and led to cannibalism. Conclusion: Methanol extract of PHF has a significant hypolipidemic effect against HFD-induced hyperlipidemia in SD rats. The petroleum ether extract of PHF did not show any significant hypolipidemic effect on HFD-fed rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has largely ignored examining nipple erection in nonsexual situations. We hypothesized that both women and men experience nonsexual nipple erection under emotional and somatic (nonsexual) conditions that trigger autonomic arousal and sought to document nonsexual triggers and instances of nipple erection in various contexts. As predicted, self-reports from 181 college students indicated that individuals experience nipple erection when under stress, frightened, and anxious. Participants also reported often experiencing nipple erection concurrently with piloerection ("goose bumps"). In addition, participants reported nipple erection self-vigilance and concealment in nonsexual situations, suggesting awareness that nipple erection may communicate a target's emotional and somatic arousal. Implications and limitations to these exploratory findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The autologous transplantation of hair follicles that have been separated into single follicular units is an accepted treatment for androgenetic alopecia. Recent studies demonstrate that the multiple stem cell populations and surrounding cutaneous tissues coordinately regulate the hair follicle functions and skin homeostasis. Therefore, the critical issues for consideration regarding functional hair restoration therapy are reproduction the correct connectivity and cooperation with host cutaneous tissues, including the arrector pili muscle (APM) and nerve system. We report successful establishment of mouse single follicular transplantation model and autonomous restoration of transplanted hair follicle piloerection in mouse skin. Transplanted hair follicles were responsive to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and formed proper connections with surrounding host tissues such as APM and nerve fibers, which in turn connect with not only the hair follicle bulge region but also the APM. These results demonstrate that the piloerection ability of transplanted hair follicles can be estimated quantitatively. This study makes a substantial contribution towards the development of transplantation therapy that will facilitate future functional regeneration therapy for skin and skin appendages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the Content universe, factor structure, affective composition, elicitors, trait antecedents, and consequences of "the chills." In Study 1, participants described what it means to get the chills. A second sample sorted all references to physical Sensations based on similarity. Cluster analysis identified 4 lower order clusters (goosebumps, tingling, coldness, shivers) and 2 higher order clusters ("goosetingles," "coldshivers"). In Study 2, factor analysis of questionnaire data supported a model with lower and higher order factors that corresponded to the Study I clusters. Goosetingles and coldshivers were predicted by approach-related traits (e.g., extraversion) and avoidance-related traits (e.g., neuroticism), respectively. In Study 3, analysis of narrative data replicated the goosetingles-coldshivers structure. Relative to coldshivers, goosetingles involved greater awe, surprise, and enjoyment and less disgust, fear, and sadness. In Study 4, analysis of diary data extended the goosetingles-coldshivers structure to between and within-person levels of analysis. Gooset ingles involved positive affects and was elicited by approach-related stimuli, whereas coldshivers involved negative affects and was elicited by avoidance-related stimuli. In Study 5, manipulation of exposure to self-actualization and self-annihilation elicited goosetingles and coldshivers, respectively. Goosetingles and coldshivers had positive and negative effects, respectively, on interpersonal closeness. In sum, diverse forms of evidence converge to indicate that the chills encompasses distinct approach and avoidance-related constructs. Failure to distinguish these constructs explains null and inconsistent findings in the nascent literature. Goosetingles and coldshivers are posited to serve the function of signaling that an event in the environment is pertinent to one's most deep-seated hopes or fears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Piloerection is known as an indicator of strong emotional experiences. However, little is known about the physiological and emotional specificity of this psychophysiological response. In the presented study, piloerection was elicited by audio stimuli taken from music and film episodes. The physiological response accompanying the incidence of piloerection was recorded with respect to electrodermal, cardiovascular and respiratory measures and compared to a matched control condition. The employment of an optical recording system allowed for a direct and objective assessment of visible piloerection. The occurrence of piloerection was primarily accompanied by an increase of phasic electrodermal activity and increased respiration depth as compared to a matched control condition. This physiological response pattern is discussed in the context of dominant theories of human piloerection. Consideration of all available evidence suggests that emotional piloerection represents a valuable indicator of the state of being moved or touched. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Increasing attention is drawn to the investigation of piloerection (or goose bumps) in response to strong emotional experiences. This research is complicated by the need to rely on self-report measures. This article proposes an efficient method for the objective and continuous measurement of piloerection. It is based on an optical recording device combined with a discrete Fourier transform analysis quantifying the frequency power related to visible piloerection. The validity of the method was demonstrated in a proof-of-principle experiment involving a person with the exceptional ability to control the erection of his hair. The method reliably mapped all occurrences of visible piloerection and provided insight into the temporal dynamics of the underlying physiological process. It thus proved suitable for future experimental investigation of human piloerection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To present a case of piloerection after replacing fluvoxamine maleate with milnacipran hydrochloride, and to analyse this effect based on receptor occupancy theory. Methods A 40-year-old female with a 3-year history of panic disorder was prescribed fluvoxamine 50 mg day−1 in addition to clorazepate dipotassium and sulpiride. Depression was not improved and she complained of fatigue, lack of energy and drowsiness. These symptoms worsened within a few days of an increase in the dose of fluvoxamine to 50 mg twice daily. Since an interaction between fluvoxamine and tizanidine, prescribed by another clinic, was suspected, fluvoxamine was replaced with milnacipran 50 mg day−1. Although her drowsiness improved, she complained of piloerection throughout her body. This symptom gradually abated within a week and when the dosage of milnacipran was increased to 100 mg day−1 at 2 months, no further piloerection occurred. We calculated the changes in α1-adrenoceptor occupancy by endogenous norepinephrine during treatment with the usual doses of milnacipran, fluvoxamine and imipramine by using pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters obtained from the literature. Results The ratios of α1-adrenoceptor occupancy by endogenous norepinephrine during the treatment with milnacipran, fluvoxamine and imipramine to that without drug were estimated to be 7.13, 1.00 and 4.12, respectively. The α1-adrenoceptor occupancy by endogenous norepinephrine was increased in a dose-dependent manner by milnacipran, whereas fluvoxamine had essentially no effect. Conclusions The piloerection observed after the replacement of fluvoxamine with milnacipran in this patient appears to have been due to an increase in the α1-adrenoceptor occupancy by endogenous norepinephrine induced by milnacipran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Interferon-α (IFN-α) is used as a front-line treatment for cancer and other diseases. Reports of depression as a consequence of IFN-α therapy scatter the literature, generating interest in the CNS disruptions elicited by this cytokine. In the present work, we investigated the short- and long-term effects of a single systemic injection of vehicle, 10, or 1000 units of IFN-α on temperature, body weight, food intake, sickness behaviours, locomotor activity, and brain stimulation reward (BSR) thresholds elicited from the ventral tegmental area in female Long–Evans rats. Pioneered for studying motivational processes, BSR has been exploited as a tool for tracking hedonic status in animal models of depression. In this study, the main findings were that IFN-α did not induce anhedonia as defined by no increase in frequency thresholds. However, the analyses of sickness behaviours unveiled a significant increase in piloerection in all sham control animals that received an IFN-α injection while the BSR animal scores remained relatively unchanged between pre- and post-injection days. This pattern was also evident in the overall total sickness behaviour scores. Our data suggest that a single exposure to IFN-alpha treatment in female rats elicits long-term somatic effects, without altering hedonic status. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Interferon-α (IFN-α) is a cytokine used as a first line of defense against diseases such as cancer and hepatitis C. However, reports indicate that its effectiveness as a treatment is countered by central nervous system (CNS) disruptions in patients. Our work explored the possibility that it may also cause long-term behavioral disruptions by chronicling the behavioral and physiological disturbances associated with a single injection of vehicle, 10, 100, or 1000 units of IFN-α in male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 5/dose). Following 1 day of locomotor baseline collection, we monitored sickness behaviors (ptosis, piloerection, lethargy, and sleep), food and water intake, body weight, temperature, and motor activity. Observations were recorded 4 days prior to and 4 days following the IFN-α injection. Temperature and sickness behaviors were recorded three times daily at 9:00, 15:00, and 21:00 h, and all other indices, once daily. On the injection day, temperature values were highest in the animals receiving the 10-unit IFN-α dose 15 min and 13 h post-injection. In the case of sickness behaviors, a significant increase was observed in piloerection in all IFN-α groups at each time point measured, while the scores of the rats in the vehicle condition remained unchanged between pre- and post-injection days. Analyses of overall sickness behaviors during morning and night observation periods indicated increased scores in all IFN-α groups following injection. Cumulatively, these data suggest that a single IFN-α exposure may elicit long-term behavioral disruptions and that its consequences should be thoroughly investigated for its use in clinical populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Our previous study suggested that the alarm pheromones in rats could be divided into at least two functionally different categories: one evoking autonomic responses and the other evoking behavioral responses, and the present study was conducted to test this hypothesis. Four regions of the body surface, i.e. the whisker pad, neck, rump and perianal region, of an anesthetized male Wistar rat were electrically stimulated (donor) and, after removal of the donor, the recipient rat was introduced into the same box and its behavioral and autonomic changes were recorded. Electrical stimulation of the perianal region of anesthetized donor rats provoked the release of odor that subsequently augmented core body temperature in other awake male rats. By contrast, electrical stimulation of the whisker pad of anesthetized donor males provoked the release of odor that augmented sniffing, rearing and locomotor activity in other awake male subjects. These results suggest that the alarm pheromone released from the face modifies behavior and that from the anal area induces autonomic stress responses in recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold shiver and piloerection are rare ictal signs in focal epilepsies. They are often associated with an epileptic seizure focus within the temporal lobe. In rare cases the phenomenon of piloerection has been reported to be confined to body parts ipsilateral to the seizure focus. In this multicentric study epilepsy patients with ictal cold shiver and/or piloerection were retrospectively asked to describe exactly location and spreading patterns of these signs as well as their temporal sequence in relation to other ictal signs. Clinical data, etiology of epilepsy, and seizure focus location were also assessed. In our patient group there was a high relationship to an epileptic focus within the left temporal lobe. Distinct spreading patterns or unilateral piloerection was not indicative of a focus in the ipsilateral temporal lobe as described previously. Our results suggest that phenomena of temperature dysregulation during epileptic seizures may be of value in the presurgical evaluation as they may be indicative of a left temporal lobe seizure focus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]