No effects of enhanced central norepinephrine on finger-sequence learning and attention.

TY - JOUR

T1 - No effects of enhanced central norepinephrine on finger-sequence learning and attention.

AU - Plewnia, Christian

AU - Hoppe, Julia

AU - Gerloff, Christian

PY - 2006

Y1 - 2006

N2 - RATIONALE: When paired with training, substances that increase monoaminergic transmission in the brain support motor and language learning in healthy subjects and in rehabilitation after brain lesions. OBJECTIVES: To test the hypotheses that enhancement of central norepinephrine by the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor reboxetine (1) improves skilled motor performance, (2) promotes skilled motor learning, and (3) does not exert these effects by modulation of attention. METHODS: In a double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in healthy, adult subjects (n=16), finger-sequence performance and learning was measured after the stimulation of the central noradrenergic system with a single dose (8 mg) of reboxetine and placebo. Effects on attention were assessed by the standardized continuous performance test "CPT-M". RESULTS: No differential effects of reboxetine or placebo on finger-sequence performance, learning and parameters of attention were found. CONCLUSION: Selective stimulation of the central noradrenergic system did not promote skilled motor learning or performance as assessed by finger-sequences. The plasticity-enhancing effect of reboxetine, documented in other studies, appears to be dependent on specific neurophysiological and neuropsychological characteristics of the task, and cannot be generalized to other behavioral paradigms.

AB - RATIONALE: When paired with training, substances that increase monoaminergic transmission in the brain support motor and language learning in healthy subjects and in rehabilitation after brain lesions. OBJECTIVES: To test the hypotheses that enhancement of central norepinephrine by the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor reboxetine (1) improves skilled motor performance, (2) promotes skilled motor learning, and (3) does not exert these effects by modulation of attention. METHODS: In a double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in healthy, adult subjects (n=16), finger-sequence performance and learning was measured after the stimulation of the central noradrenergic system with a single dose (8 mg) of reboxetine and placebo. Effects on attention were assessed by the standardized continuous performance test "CPT-M". RESULTS: No differential effects of reboxetine or placebo on finger-sequence performance, learning and parameters of attention were found. CONCLUSION: Selective stimulation of the central noradrenergic system did not promote skilled motor learning or performance as assessed by finger-sequences. The plasticity-enhancing effect of reboxetine, documented in other studies, appears to be dependent on specific neurophysiological and neuropsychological characteristics of the task, and cannot be generalized to other behavioral paradigms.

M3 - SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz

VL - 187

SP - 260

EP - 265

JO - PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

JF - PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

SN - 0033-3158

IS - 2

M1 - 2

ER -