Noradrenergic modulation of space exploration in visual neglect.
Visual neglect after stroke is often associated with a failure to explore contralesional space. Here, we show that guanfacine, a noradrenergic agonist that modulates dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, improves leftward space exploration in selected right-hemisphere patients with neglect. The positive effects of guanfacine were associated with extended ability to maintain attention on task. The results suggest that neuropharmacological targeting of intact frontal areas might be one way to enhance cognitive function after damage to posterior brain regions in selected individuals.
Malhotra
Paresh A
PA
Division of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital, London W6 8RF, UK.
Parton
Andrew D
AD
Greenwood
Richard
R
Husain
Masud
M
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016316:Guanfacine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D016316:Guanfacine; D009638:Norepinephrine