Beta receptor-mediated modulation of the late positive potential in humans

25Citations
Citations of this article
75Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Rationale: Electrophysiological studies have identified a scalp potential, the late positive potential (LPP), which is modulated by the emotional intensity of observed stimuli. Previous work has shown that the LPP reflects the modulation of activity in extrastriate visual cortical structures, but little is known about the source of that modulation. Objectives: The present study investigated whether beta-adrenergic receptors are involved in the generation of the LPP. Methods: We used a genetic individual differences approach (experiment 1) and a pharmacological manipulation (experiment 2) to test the hypothesis that the LPP is modulated by the activation of β-adrenergic receptors. Results: In experiment 1, we found that LPP amplitude depends on allelic variation in the β1-receptor gene polymorphism. In experiment 2, we found that LPP amplitude was modulated by the β-blocker propranolol in a direction dependent on subjects' level of trait anxiety: In participants with lower trait anxiety, propranolol led to a (nonsignificant) decrease in the LPP modulation; in participants with higher trait anxiety, propranolol increased the emotion-related LPP modulation. Conclusions: These results provide initial support for the hypothesis that the LPP reflects the downstream effects, in visual cortical areas, of β-receptor-mediated activation of the amygdala. © 2011 The Author(s).

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

De Rover, M., Brown, S. B. R. E., Boot, N., Hajcak, G., Van Noorden, M. S., Van Der Wee, N. J. A., & Nieuwenhuis, S. (2012). Beta receptor-mediated modulation of the late positive potential in humans. Psychopharmacology, 219(4), 971–979. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2426-x

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free