RATIONALE: When dissimilar figures are presented to each eye individually, perception alternates spontaneously between each monocular view. This phenomenon, binocular rivalry, has been suggested to depend on serotonergic neural systems. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between binocular rivalry and serotonergic neural systems in more detail, we measured the perceptual alternation rate and rhythmicity of binocular rivalry under the influence of the 5-HT(1A) agonist tandospirone. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Fifteen healthy volunteers were tested under placebo and 60 mg tandospirone conditions using the single-blind method. The perceptual alternation rate and rhythmicity of binocular rivalry were measured at pre-administration and at 90, 180, and 360 min post-administration. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, the administration of tandospirone decreased the rate and rhythmicity of perceptual switching significantly at 90 and 180 min post-administration in a manner that is consistent with its pharmacokinetics. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that the 5-HT(1A) neural pathways, mainly located in the mesolimbic system and brainstem, may play a crucial role as an oscillator in perceptual rivalry alternations.
RCT Entities:
RATIONALE: When dissimilar figures are presented to each eye individually, perception alternates spontaneously between each monocular view. This phenomenon, binocular rivalry, has been suggested to depend on serotonergic neural systems. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between binocular rivalry and serotonergic neural systems in more detail, we measured the perceptual alternation rate and rhythmicity of binocular rivalry under the influence of the 5-HT(1A) agonist tandospirone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen healthy volunteers were tested under placebo and 60 mg tandospirone conditions using the single-blind method. The perceptual alternation rate and rhythmicity of binocular rivalry were measured at pre-administration and at 90, 180, and 360 min post-administration. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, the administration of tandospirone decreased the rate and rhythmicity of perceptual switching significantly at 90 and 180 min post-administration in a manner that is consistent with its pharmacokinetics. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that the 5-HT(1A) neural pathways, mainly located in the mesolimbic system and brainstem, may play a crucial role as an oscillator in perceptual rivalry alternations.
Authors: Steven M Miller; Narelle K Hansell; Trung T Ngo; Guang B Liu; John D Pettigrew; Nicholas G Martin; Margaret J Wright Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2010-01-21 Impact factor: 11.205