ABSTRACT
Several investigators have attempted to produce coronary insufficiency and myocardial infarctions in the baboon by imposing excessive strain on, or clashing, alimentary, sexual, social, and defensive reflexes. The subjects for the investigation were four healthy male hamadryas baboons 2 years of age. The experiments were carried out with the subjects in the fasting state. The electrocardiograms (EKG) were recorded in 12 leads; arterial blood pressure was recorded by sphygmomanometer and inflatable arm cuff. Three of the four subjects, the combination of physiological activation of the heart with immobilization stress led to ischemic EKG changes that became progressively more severe for at least 3 months after cessation of the stressor sessions. The results of this study corroborated the concept that chronic pathological changes occur in those functional systems in which activation has become a conditioned signal for the pathological defensive dominant.
