title: Using fMRI to compare the effects of benzylpiperazine with dexamphetamine - Their differences during the Stroop paradigm.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benzylpiperazine (BZP) has been found to increase neural activation in the dorsal striatum when compared to placebo in response to a Stroop paradigm, in addition, subjective effects have been compared to dexamphetamine (DEX). Despite their similarities, the two have not been directly compared in respect to their effects on selective attention and inhibition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To use a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study to compare the acute effects of BZP and DEX on executive function using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and an event-related Stroop task.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven healthy participants aged 18-40 years undertook the Stroop task 90[Formula: see text]min after taking an oral dose of either BZP (200[Formula: see text]mg), DEX (20[Formula: see text]mg) or placebo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BZP induced a greater increase in activation than DEX in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) during the Stroop task. DEX increased BOLD signal in the thalamus and decreased it in the IFG in comparison to placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite BZP and DEX reportedly inducing similar subjective effects, there are different patterns of neural activation. We believe this differential activity is due to pharmacological differences in their receptor binding profiles and that subsequent inhibitory effects might be due to their direct effect on dopaminergic activity.
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Pharmacy and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Louise E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Curley
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Psychological Medicine and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Kydd
authors.affiliation: 3 School of Psychology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Ian J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Pharmacy and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Bruce R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D057190:Stroop Test; D013998:Time Perception / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D010879:Piperazines; C006737:1-benzylpiperazine; D010100:Oxygen; D003913:Dextroamphetamine
keywords: BZP; Stroop task; dexamphetamine; fMRI; inhibition