title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology and Medical Research Council Centre for Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom. twr2@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Trevor W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Robbins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D012701:Serotonin; D004298:Dopamine