Latent inhibition is attenuated by noise and partially restored by a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist.
Latent inhibition (LI) is a model of attention, which is a cognitive process that can be modulated by stressors such as chronic intermittent broadband noise, e.g. caused by building work, which is particularly stressful to rats. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of chronic noise stress, caused by a building project, on LI, and its interaction with SR 46,349B, a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist. Control groups from LI experiments conducted during periods of chronic intermittent noise were compared with control groups from LI experiments conducted in normal quiet conditions. The interaction of SR 46,349B with the effects of chronic noise stress was then tested. Chronic intermittent noise attenuated LI, an effect which was partially reversed by SR 46,349B, 2.4 mg/kg i.p. Attenuation of LI by chronic intermittent noise and reversal of this effect by SR 46,349B support suggestions that stress can modulate attention and that 5-HT2A receptors are involved in mediating the effects of chronic stress.
McDonald
L M
LM
Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK. Louise_McDonald@Merck.com
Moran
P M
PM
Vythelingum
G N
GN
Joseph
M H
MH
Stephenson
J D
JD
Gray
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects; D005108:Extinction, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects; D005464:Fluorobenzenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects*; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000187:drug effects*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology
D005464:Fluorobenzenes; D010636:Phenols; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; C076033:SR 46349B