No effects of enhanced central norepinephrine on finger-sequence learning and attention.
BACKGROUND
When paired with training, substances that increase monoaminergic transmission in the brain support motor and language learning in healthy subjects and in rehabilitation after brain lesions.


OBJECTIVE
To test the hypotheses that enhancement of central norepinephrine by the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor reboxetine (1) improves skilled motor performance, (2) promotes skilled motor learning, and (3) does not exert these effects by modulation of attention.


METHODS
In a double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in healthy, adult subjects (n=16), finger-sequence performance and learning was measured after the stimulation of the central noradrenergic system with a single dose (8 mg) of reboxetine and placebo. Effects on attention were assessed by the standardized continuous performance test "CPT-M".


RESULTS
No differential effects of reboxetine or placebo on finger-sequence performance, learning and parameters of attention were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective stimulation of the central noradrenergic system did not promote skilled motor learning or performance as assessed by finger-sequences. The plasticity-enhancing effect of reboxetine, documented in other studies, appears to be dependent on specific neurophysiological and neuropsychological characteristics of the task, and cannot be generalized to other behavioral paradigms.
Plewnia
Christian
C
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Eberhard-Karls University Medical School, Osianderstrasse 24, Tuebingen 72076, Germany. christian.plewnia@uni-tuebingen.de
Hoppe
Julia
J
Gerloff
Christian
C
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009025:Morpholines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077593:Reboxetine; D012691:Serial Learning / Q000187:drug effects*
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D009025:Morpholines; D000077593:Reboxetine; D009638:Norepinephrine