The contribution of alpha 2-noradrenergic mechanisms of prefrontal cortical cognitive function. Potential significance for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
This article aims to review research in nonhuman primates demonstrating that norepinephrine can enhance the cognitive functioning of the prefrontal cortex through actions at alpha 2 A-adrenergic receptors postjunctional to noradrenergic terminals. As prefrontal cortex cognitive deficits are prominent in several psychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, these basic findings may have relevance for the development of novel pharmacotherapies.
Arnsten
A F
AF
Section of Neurobiology, Yale Medical School, New Haven, CT 06510-8001, USA. Arnsten@qm. yale. edu
Steere
J C
JC
Hunt
R D
RD
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D016316:Guanfacine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; D016316:Guanfacine; D003000:Clonidine; D009638:Norepinephrine