Abstract
Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adjust behavior to changes in the environment or task conditions. Previous research suggested that serotonin (5-HT) is involved in cognitive flexibility. Disturbed 5-HT functioning in animals, psychiatric patients and healthy volunteers leads to more rigid behavior. A well recognized method to manipulate levels of brain 5-HT is acute tryptophan depletion (ATD). This method induces a transient and reversible lowering of plasma tryptophan that has been shown to result in decreased brain 5- HT. Only recently has ATD research been combined with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). In this review, we discuss recent investigations into the effect of ATD on the Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) response during tasks that require cognitive flexibility, in healthy volunteers. Functional MRI studies have shown that ATD changes brain activation during tasks that require cognitive flexibility. It is hypothesized that ATD changes the processing of negative feedback, rather than impairing response inhibition, impairing the response to an error or the loss of cognitive control during response interference. Although the results of these studies are intriguing, they are sometimes contradictory. This could be the result of the different paradigms that have been used. Importantly, these studies strongly suggest that future multidisciplinary research should evaluate the mechanisms underlying individual differences and control for variables that have been shown to interact with the effect of ATD on cognitive flexibility and the related brain activation.
Keywords: Serotonin, acute tryptophan depletion, cognitive flexibility, functional neuroimaging
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Serotonin and Cognitive Flexibility: Neuroimaging Studies into the Effect of Acute Tryptophan Depletion in Healthy Volunteers
Volume: 14 Issue: 28
Author(s): E. A.T. Evers, F. M. van der Veen, D. Fekkes and J. Jolles
Affiliation:
Keywords: Serotonin, acute tryptophan depletion, cognitive flexibility, functional neuroimaging
Abstract: Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adjust behavior to changes in the environment or task conditions. Previous research suggested that serotonin (5-HT) is involved in cognitive flexibility. Disturbed 5-HT functioning in animals, psychiatric patients and healthy volunteers leads to more rigid behavior. A well recognized method to manipulate levels of brain 5-HT is acute tryptophan depletion (ATD). This method induces a transient and reversible lowering of plasma tryptophan that has been shown to result in decreased brain 5- HT. Only recently has ATD research been combined with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). In this review, we discuss recent investigations into the effect of ATD on the Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) response during tasks that require cognitive flexibility, in healthy volunteers. Functional MRI studies have shown that ATD changes brain activation during tasks that require cognitive flexibility. It is hypothesized that ATD changes the processing of negative feedback, rather than impairing response inhibition, impairing the response to an error or the loss of cognitive control during response interference. Although the results of these studies are intriguing, they are sometimes contradictory. This could be the result of the different paradigms that have been used. Importantly, these studies strongly suggest that future multidisciplinary research should evaluate the mechanisms underlying individual differences and control for variables that have been shown to interact with the effect of ATD on cognitive flexibility and the related brain activation.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Evers A.T. E., van der Veen M. F., Fekkes D. and Jolles J., Serotonin and Cognitive Flexibility: Neuroimaging Studies into the Effect of Acute Tryptophan Depletion in Healthy Volunteers, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2007; 14 (28) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986707782794032
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986707782794032 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Adult Neurogenesis, Neural Stem Cells and Alzheimers Disease: Developments, Limitations, Problems and Promises
Current Alzheimer Research Oncogene-Blocking Therapies: New Insights from Conditional Mouse Tumor Models
Current Cancer Drug Targets Discovery of MINC1, a GTPase-Activating Protein Small Molecule Inhibitor, Targeting MgcRacGAP
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Neurological Disorders of Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Botulinum Toxin: A Successful Therapeutic Protein
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Impact of Diabetes on Adolescent Development: The Experiences of Teenagers with Diabetes Attending a Summer Camp
Adolescent Psychiatry Death-Associated Protein Kinase 1 as a Promising Drug Target in Cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Utilization of Experimental Design for the Establishment and Optimization of RP-HPLC Method for the Estimation of Two Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/benzodiazepines Combinations in the Presence of their Related Compounds
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis Anti-Cancer Effects of Citalopram on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Occur via Cytochrome C Release and the Activation of NF-kB
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Anti-Inflammatory Approaches that Target the Chemokine Network
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Role of Inflammatory Markers in Elderly Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Current Diabetes Reviews Theories and Treatment of Drug Dependency: A Neurochemical Perspective
Current Molecular Pharmacology Low Levels of High Density Lipoprotein Increase the Severity of Cerebral White Matter Changes:Implications for Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Diseases
Current Alzheimer Research Implication of Gut Microbiota in Human Health
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Pesudomance sp. Bacteria Associated with Marine Sponge as a Promising and Sustainable Source of Bioactive Molecules
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Adhesion Molecules and Kinases Involved in γ δ T Cells Migratory Pathways:Implications for Viral and Autoimmune Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry Chalcone Derivatives Activate and Desensitize the Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 Cation Channel, Subfamily A, Member 1 TRPA1 Ion Channel: Structure-Activity Relationships in vitro and Anti-Nociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Activity in vivo
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Cocaine and Acute Vascular Diseases
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Health Service Utilization and Costs of Depressive Symptoms in Late Life - A Systematic Review
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Role of Cytokines in Sleep Regulation
Current Pharmaceutical Design