Adrenergic pharmacology and cognition: Focus on the prefrontal cortex
Open accessAbstract
Norepinephrine (NE) has widespread projections throughout the brain, and thus, is ideally positioned to orchestrate neural functions based on arousal state. For example, NE can increase "signal/noise" ratio in the processing of sensory stimuli, and can enhance long-term memory consolidation in the amygdala and hippocampus through actions at alpha-1 and beta adrenoceptors. Over the last 20 years, NE has also been shown to play a powerful role in regulating the working memory and attention functions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Moderate levels of NE released under control conditions strengthen prefrontal cortical functions via actions at post-synaptic alpha-2A adrenoceptors with high affinity for NE, while high levels of NE release during stress impair PFC cortical functions via alpha-1 and possibly beta-1 receptors with lower affinity for NE. Thus, levels of NE determine whether prefrontal cortical or posterior cortical systems control our behavior and thought. Understanding these receptor mechanisms has led to new intelligent treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders associated with PFC dysfunction.
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As neurochemicals rise beyond moderate levels, prefrontal cortex activity is reduced and activity increases in brain areas associated with reactive motoric and emotional-motivational responses.
“As these neurochemicals continue to rise beyond a moderate level, however, activity in PFC is reduced and activity is increased in brain areas associated with reactive motoric and emotional-motivational responses to stimulation”
From School Readiness and Self-Regulation: A Developmental Psychobiological Approach (2015) · cites this paper as Ramos & Arnsten 2007
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- Authors
- Ramos, B. P., & Arnsten, A. F. T.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Arnsten, Amy F.T.
- ORCID
- Arnsten, Amy F.T.
- Venue
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-03
- Volume
- 113
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 523-536
- ISSN
- 0163-7258 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC2151919
- OpenAlex
- W1985339809
- Cited by
- 641
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 27 · 2025: 31 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 36 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 38 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 40
- FWCI
- 2.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (RL1AA017536)
- National Institute on Aging (R37AG006036, R01AG006036, AG06036)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Keywords
- norepinephrine, prefrontal cortex, adrenergic receptors, alpha1-adrenoceptors, beta1-adrenergic receptor, working memory, attention, stress, arousal, cognitive function, neuropsychiatric disorders
- MeSH terms
- Mental Disorders, Cognition, Humans, Locus Coeruleus, Memory, Norepinephrine, Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha, Receptors, Adrenergic, beta, Prefrontal Cortex
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