Chemistry of the mind: Neurochemical modulation of prefrontal cortical function
Abstract
The neurochemical modulation of prefrontal cortical function is reviewed with special reference to the ascending dopaminergic and serotoninergic projections. Evidence is surveyed from studies of rats, nonhuman primates, and humans to suggest that prefrontal dopamine has specific functions in attentional control and working memory, mediated mainly through the D1 receptor, whereas manipulations of serotonin are shown by contrast to affect reversal learning in monkeys and human volunteers and measures of impulsivity in rats. These findings are discussed in the context of these as well as other neurotransmitter systems (including noradrenaline and acetylcholine) having distinct roles in the neuromodulation of prefrontal cortical function. The capacity of the prefrontal cortex itself to exert top‐down regulation of these ascending neurochemical systems is also discussed. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:140–146, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
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During arousal, there is a significant temporary boost in the capacity to respond to stimuli, indicative of phasic alertness, which is manifested by improved performance on a number of visual and memory tasks.
“Previous findings demonstrated that during arousal, there is a significant temporary boost in the capacity to respond to stimuli, indicative of phasic alertness, which is manifested by improved performance on a number of visual and memory tasks [59–61].”
From The Influence of Buddhist Meditation Traditions on the Autonomic System and Attention (2015) · cites this paper as [60]
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- Authors
- Robbins, T. W.
- Affiliations
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Robbins, Trevor W.
- ORCID
- Robbins, Trevor W.
- Venue
- Journal of Comparative Neurology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2005-10-27
- Volume
- 493
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 140-146
- ISSN
- 0021-9967 (ISSN-L)
- 1096-9861
- OpenAlex
- W2078134227
- Cited by
- 292
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 16
- FWCI
- 10.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Comparative Neurology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Keywords
- prefrontal cortex, dopaminergic pathways, dopamine D1 receptor, attentional control, working memory, impulsivity, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, top-down control, neuromodulation
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Brain Chemistry, Dopamine, Humans, Models, Neurological, Serotonin, Prefrontal Cortex, Receptors, Dopamine D1, Rats
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