Multiple chemical sensitivity as a conditional response Journal Articles

abstract

• Pavlovian conditioning may contribute to some cases of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). On the basis of the conditioning analysis, environmental stimuli (especially olfactory cues) present at the time of a toxicant overdose become associated with the toxicant and elicit aversive conditional responses. Similar associations have been reported in patients receiving chemotherapy, and the literature on such `pretreatment nausea' in cancer patients is relevant to understanding the role of conditioning in MCS. Evaluation of the contribution of conditioning to MCS has been complicated by confounding interpretations that emphasize conditional responses with interpretations which emphasize the psychiatric status of the patient. Appreciation of the contribution of Pavlovian conditioning to MCS will lead to a better understanding of this complex disorder.

authors

• Siegel, Shepard

status

• published 

publication date

• April 1999

has subject area

• Animals (MeSH)
• Conditioning, Classical (MeSH)
• Humans (MeSH)
• Learning Disabilities (MeSH)
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MeSH)
• Odorants (MeSH)
• Substance-Related Disorders (MeSH)
• Toxicology (Science Metrix)

published in

• Toxicology and Industrial Health  Journal

keywords

• Animals
• Conditioning, Classical
• Humans
• Learning Disabilities
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
• Odorants
• Substance-Related Disorders

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1177/074823379901500306

PubMed ID

• 10416284

start page

• 323

end page

• 330

volume

• 15

issue

• 3-4