CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 103Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorVisual Attention and Saliency Detection

Noradrenergic neuromodulation of human attention for emotional and neutral stimuli

Open access
De Martino, Benedetto, Strange, Bryan A., Dolan, Raymond J.·2008·Psychopharmacology
DOI 10.1007/s00213-007-1015-5PMC PMC2627987
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Norepinephrine (NE) has a regulatory role in human attention. OBJECTIVE: To examine its role in emotional modulation of attention, we used an attentional blink (AB) paradigm, in the context of psychopharmacological manipulation, where targets were either emotional or neutral items. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We report behavioural evidence that beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol impairs attention independent of target valence. Furthermore, this effect is centrally mediated as administration of the peripheral beta-adrenergic antagonist nadolol did not impair attention. By contrast, increasing NE tone, using the selective NE reuptake inhibitor reboxetine, improves detection of emotional stimuli. CONCLUSION: In line with theoretical and animal models, these findings provide human behavioural evidence that the adrenergic system has a modulatory influence on selective attention that in some instances depends on item valence.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s00213-007-1015-5

Cites

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

The citation lists haven’t been fetched yet

References 37 · Cited by 103

Research works printed but not linked: 29

  1. Anderson AK Phelps EA Lesions of the human amygdala impair enhanced perception of emotionally salient events Nature 2001 411 305 309 10.1038/35077083 11357132 Anderson AK, Phelps EA (2001) Lesions of the human amygdala impair enhanced perception of emotionally salient events. Nature 411:305–309 11357132 · DOI
  2. Aston-Jones G Bloom FE Nonrepinephrine-containing locus coeruleus neurons in behaving rats exhibit pronounced responses to non-noxious environmental stimuli J Neurosci 1981 1 887 900 PMC6564231 7346593 Aston-Jones G, Bloom FE (1981) Nonrepinephrine-containing locus coeruleus neurons in behaving rats exhibit pronounced responses to non-noxious environmental stimuli. J Neurosci 1:887–900 7346593 PMC6564231
  3. Aston-Jones G Cohen JD An integrative theory of locus coeruleus-norepinephrine function: adaptive gain and optimal performance Annu Rev Neurosci 2005 28 403 450 10.1146/annurev.neuro.28.061604.135709 16022602 Aston-Jones G, Cohen JD (2005) An integrative theory of locus coeruleus-norepinephrine function: adaptive gain and optimal performance. Annu Rev Neurosci 28:403–450 16022602 · DOI · Paper page
  4. Aston-Jones G Chiang C Alexinsky T Discharge of noradrenergic locus coeruleus neurons in behaving rats and monkeys suggests a role in vigilance Prog Brain Res 1991 88 501 520 1813931 Aston-Jones G, Chiang C, Alexinsky T (1991) Discharge of noradrenergic locus coeruleus neurons in behaving rats and monkeys suggests a role in vigilance. Prog Brain Res 88:501–520 1813931
  5. Beane M Marrocco RT Norepinephrine and acetylcholine mediation of the components of reflexive attention: implications for attention deficit disorders Prog Neurobiol 2004 74 167 181 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2004.09.001 15556286 Beane M, Marrocco RT (2004) Norepinephrine and acetylcholine mediation of the components of reflexive attention: implications for attention deficit disorders. Prog Neurobiol 74:167–181 15556286 · DOI
  6. Beique J Montigny C Blier P Debonnel G Effects of sustained administration of the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine: II. In vitro studies in the rat Neuropharmacology 2000 39 1813 1822 10.1016/S0028-3908(00)00018-6 10884562 Beique J, de Montigny C, Blier P, Debonnel G (2000) Effects of sustained administration of the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine: II. In vitro studies in the rat. Neuropharmacology 39:1813–1822 10884562 · DOI
  7. Berridge CW Waterhouse BD The locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system: modulation of behavioral state and state-dependent cognitive processes Brain Res Brain Res Rev 2003 42 33 84 10.1016/S0165-0173(03)00143-7 12668290 Berridge CW, Waterhouse BD (2003) The locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system: modulation of behavioral state and state-dependent cognitive processes. Brain Res Brain Res Rev 42:33–84 12668290 · DOI · Paper page
  8. Clark CR Geffen GM Geffen LB Role of monoamine pathways in attention and effort: effects of clonidine and methylphenidate in normal adult humans Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1986 90 35 39 3094059 Clark CR, Geffen GM, Geffen LB (1986) Role of monoamine pathways in attention and effort: effects of clonidine and methylphenidate in normal adult humans. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 90:35–39 3094059
  9. Coull JT Nobre AC Frith CD The noradrenergic alpha2 agonist clonidine modulates behavioural and neuroanatomical correlates of human attentional orienting and alerting Cereb Cortex 2001 11 73 84 10.1093/cercor/11.1.73 11113036 Coull JT, Nobre AC, Frith CD (2001) The noradrenergic alpha2 agonist clonidine modulates behavioural and neuroanatomical correlates of human attentional orienting and alerting. Cereb Cortex 11:73–84 11113036 · DOI · Paper page
  10. Egan TM Henderson G North RA Williams JT Noradrenaline-mediated synaptic inhibition in rat locus coeruleus neurones J Physiol 1983 345 477 488 PMC1193809 6141289 Egan TM, Henderson G, North RA, Williams JT (1983) Noradrenaline-mediated synaptic inhibition in rat locus coeruleus neurones. J Physiol 345:477–488 6141289 PMC1193809
  11. Foote SL Morrison JH Development of the noradrenergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic innervation of neocortex Curr Top Dev Biol 1987 21 391 423 3308332 Foote SL, Morrison JH (1987) Development of the noradrenergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic innervation of neocortex. Curr Top Dev Biol 21:391–423 3308332
  12. Hardman JG, Limbrid LE, Gilman AG (2001) Goodman & Gilman’s the pharmacological basis of therapeutics. McGraw-Hill Professional, New York
  13. Jolicoeur P Concurrent response-selection demands modulate the attentional blink J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform 1999 25 1097 10.1037/0096-1523.25.4.1097 10681214 Jolicoeur P (1999) Concurrent response-selection demands modulate the attentional blink. J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform 25:1097 10681214 · DOI
  14. Jouvet M Biogenic amines and the states of sleep Science 1969 163 32 41 10.1126/science.163.3862.32 4303225 Jouvet M (1969) Biogenic amines and the states of sleep. Science 163:32–41 4303225 · DOI
  15. Kasamo K Blier P Montigny C Blockade of the serotonin and norepinephrine uptake processes by duloxetine: in vitro and in vivo studies in the rat brain J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1996 277 278 286 8613930 Kasamo K, Blier P, De Montigny C (1996) Blockade of the serotonin and norepinephrine uptake processes by duloxetine: in vitro and in vivo studies in the rat brain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 277:278–286 8613930
  16. Kitchigina V Vankov A Harley C Sara SJ Novelty-elicited, noradrenaline-dependent enhancement of excitability in the dentate gyrus Eur J Neurosci 1997 9 41 47 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1997.tb01351.x 9042567 Kitchigina V, Vankov A, Harley C, Sara SJ (1997) Novelty-elicited, noradrenaline-dependent enhancement of excitability in the dentate gyrus. Eur J Neurosci 9:41–47 9042567 · DOI
  17. Lacroix D Blier P Curet O Montigny C Effects of long-term desipramine administration on noradrenergic neurotransmission: electrophysiological studies in the rat brain J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1991 257 1081 1090 1646320 Lacroix D, Blier P, Curet O, de Montigny C (1991) Effects of long-term desipramine administration on noradrenergic neurotransmission: electrophysiological studies in the rat brain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 257:1081–1090 1646320
  18. Nieuwenhuis S Gilzenrat MS Holmes BD Cohen JD The role of the locus coeruleus in mediating the attentional blink: a neurocomputational theory J Exp Psychol Gen 2005 134 291 307 10.1037/0096-3445.134.3.291 16131265 Nieuwenhuis S, Gilzenrat MS, Holmes BD, Cohen JD (2005) The role of the locus coeruleus in mediating the attentional blink: a neurocomputational theory. J Exp Psychol Gen 134:291–307 16131265 · DOI
  19. Nieuwenhuis S Nieuwpoort IC Veltman DJ Drent ML Effects of the noradrenergic agonist clonidine on temporal and spatial attention Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2007 193 2 261 269 10.1007/s00213-007-0770-7 PMC1915624 17431591 Nieuwenhuis S, van Nieuwpoort IC, Veltman DJ, Drent ML (2007) Effects of the noradrenergic agonist clonidine on temporal and spatial attention.Psychopharmacology (Berl).193(2):261–269 17431591 PMC1915624 · DOI
  20. Plewnia C Hoppe J Gerloff C No effects of enhanced central norepinephrine on finger-sequence learning and attention Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2006 187 260 265 10.1007/s00213-006-0420-5 16767410 Plewnia C, Hoppe J, Gerloff C (2006) No effects of enhanced central norepinephrine on finger-sequence learning and attention. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 187:260–265 16767410 · DOI
  21. Pliszka SR McCracken JT Maas JW Catecholamines in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: current perspectives J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1996 35 264 272 10.1097/00004583-199603000-00006 8714313 Pliszka SR, McCracken JT, Maas JW (1996) Catecholamines in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: current perspectives. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 35:264–272 8714313 · DOI
  22. Robinson TE Berridge KC The neural basis of drug craving: an incentive-sensitization theory of addiction Brain Res Brain Res Rev 1993 18 247 291 10.1016/0165-0173(93)90013-P 8401595 Robinson TE, Berridge KC (1993) The neural basis of drug craving: an incentive-sensitization theory of addiction. Brain Res Brain Res Rev 18:247–291 8401595 · DOI · Paper page
  23. Sacchetti G Bernini M Bianchetti A Parini S Invernizzi RW Samanin R Studies on the acute and chronic effects of reboxetine on extracellular noradrenaline and other monoamines in the rat brain Br J Pharmacol 1999 128 1332 1338 10.1038/sj.bjp.0702926 PMC1571760 10578149 Sacchetti G, Bernini M, Bianchetti A, Parini S, Invernizzi RW, Samanin R (1999) Studies on the acute and chronic effects of reboxetine on extracellular noradrenaline and other monoamines in the rat brain. Br J Pharmacol 128:1332–1338 10578149 PMC1571760 · DOI
  24. Strange BA Dolan RJ Beta-adrenergic modulation of oddball responses in humans Behav Brain Funct 2007 3 29 10.1186/1744-9081-3-29 PMC1934361 17567916 Strange BA, Dolan RJ (2007) Beta-adrenergic modulation of oddball responses in humans. Behav Brain Funct 3:29 17567916 PMC1934361 · DOI
  25. Strange BA Hurlemann R Dolan RJ An emotion-induced retrograde amnesia in humans is amygdala- and beta-adrenergic-dependent Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003 100 13626 13631 10.1073/pnas.1635116100 PMC263864 14595032 Strange BA, Hurlemann R, Dolan RJ (2003) An emotion-induced retrograde amnesia in humans is amygdala- and beta-adrenergic-dependent. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 100:13626–13631 14595032 PMC263864 · DOI
  26. Usher M Cohen JD Servan-Schreiber D Rajkowski J Aston-Jones G The role of locus coeruleus in the regulation of cognitive performance Science 1999 283 549 554 10.1126/science.283.5401.549 9915705 Usher M, Cohen JD, Servan-Schreiber D, Rajkowski J, Aston-Jones G (1999) The role of locus coeruleus in the regulation of cognitive performance. Science 283:549–554 9915705 · DOI · Paper page
  27. Washburn M Moises HC Electrophysiological correlates of presynaptic alpha 2-receptor-mediated inhibition of norepinephrine release at locus coeruleus synapses in dentate gyrus J Neurosci 1989 9 2131 2140 PMC6569741 2542486 Washburn M, Moises HC (1989) Electrophysiological correlates of presynaptic alpha 2-receptor-mediated inhibition of norepinephrine release at locus coeruleus synapses in dentate gyrus. J Neurosci 9:2131–2140 2542486 PMC6569741
  28. Weinberger NM Dynamic regulation of receptive fields and maps in the adult sensory cortex Annu Rev Neurosci 1999 18 129 158 10.1146/annurev.ne.18.030195.001021 PMC3621971 7605058 Weinberger NM (1999) Dynamic regulation of receptive fields and maps in the adult sensory cortex. Annu Rev Neurosci 18:129–158 7605058 PMC3621971 · DOI
  29. Williams JT Henderson G North RA Characterization of alpha 2-adrenoceptors which increase potassium conductance in rat locus coeruleus neurones Neuroscience 1985 14 95 101 10.1016/0306-4522(85)90166-6 2579354 Williams JT, Henderson G, North RA (1985) Characterization of alpha 2-adrenoceptors which increase potassium conductance in rat locus coeruleus neurones. Neuroscience 14:95–101 2579354 · DOI

Authors
De Martino, B., Strange, B. A., & Dolan, R. J.
Affiliations
Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Psychopharmacology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2007-11-30
Volume
197
Issue
1
Pages
127-136
ISSN
  • 0033-3158 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-2072
DOI
10.1007/s00213-007-1015-5
PMC
PMC2627987
OpenAlex
W1982137323
Cited by
103
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 5
FWCI
2.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc
Locations
  • Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Max Planck Digital Library (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Wellcome Trust
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Visual Attention and Saliency Detection
Keywords
norepinephrine, attentional blink, emotional stimuli, selective attention, beta-adrenergic blockade, propranolol, nadolol, reboxetine, norepinephrine reuptake inhibition, adrenergic system
MeSH terms
Reboxetine, Adrenergic beta-Antagonists, Adult, Arousal, Attention, Brain, Color Perception, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Double-Blind Method, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Morpholines, Nadolol, Norepinephrine, Pattern Recognition, Visual, Propranolol, Semantics, Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors, Attentional Blink

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review