Barnes Jessica J M, O'Connell Redmond G, Nandam L Sanjay, Dean Angela J, Bellgrove Mark A
The University of Queensland, Queensland Brain Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2014 Jan;231(2):379-92. doi: 10.1007/s00213-013-3246-y. Epub 2013 Aug 31.
Error processing is a critical executive function that is impaired in a large number of clinical populations. Although the neural underpinnings of this function have been investigated for decades and critical error-related components in the human electroencephalogram (EEG), such as the error-related negativity (ERN) and the error positivity (Pe), have been characterised, our understanding of the relative contributions of key neurotransmitters to the generation of these components remains limited.
The current study sought to determine the effects of pharmacological manipulation of the dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin neurotransmitter systems on key behavioural and event-related potential correlates of error processing.
A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover design was employed. Monoamine levels were manipulated using the clinically relevant drugs methylphenidate, atomoxetine and citalopram, in comparison to placebo. Under each of the four drug conditions, participants underwent EEG recording while performing a flanker task.
Only methylphenidate produced significant improvement in performance accuracy, which was without concomitant slowing of reaction time. Methylphenidate also increased the amplitude of an early electrophysiological index of error processing, the ERN. Citalopram increased the amplitude of the correct-response negativity, another component associated with response processing.
The effects of methylphenidate in this study are consistent with theoretical accounts positing catecholamine modulation of error monitoring. Our data suggest that enhancing catecholamine function has the potential to remediate the error-monitoring deficits that are seen in a wide range of psychiatric conditions.
错误处理是一项关键的执行功能，在大量临床人群中受损。尽管对该功能的神经基础已经研究了数十年，并且人类脑电图（EEG）中与错误相关的关键成分，如错误相关负波（ERN）和错误正波（Pe），已经得到了表征，但我们对关键神经递质对这些成分产生的相对贡献的理解仍然有限。
本研究旨在确定对多巴胺、去甲肾上腺素和5-羟色胺神经递质系统进行药理学操纵对错误处理的关键行为和事件相关电位相关性的影响。
采用随机、双盲、安慰剂对照、交叉设计。与安慰剂相比，使用临床相关药物哌甲酯、托莫西汀和西酞普兰来操纵单胺水平。在四种药物条件下，参与者在执行侧翼任务时进行脑电图记录。
只有哌甲酯在不伴随反应时间减慢的情况下显著提高了表现准确性。哌甲酯还增加了错误处理的早期电生理指标ERN的幅度。西酞普兰增加了正确反应负波（与反应处理相关的另一个成分）的幅度。
本研究中哌甲酯的作用与假设儿茶酚胺调节错误监测的理论解释一致。我们的数据表明，增强儿茶酚胺功能有可能纠正广泛精神疾病中出现的错误监测缺陷。
