The effect of Escitalopram on tonic and phasic alertness in healthy volunteers
Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Attentional processes are modulated by different neurotransmitters. There is accumulating evidence of functional involvement of serotonin (5-HT) in attentional processes, especially regarding vigilance and psychomotoric speed. As demonstrated by earlier studies the statements concerning the influence of 5-HT on attentional processes remains somewhat inconsistent. Therefore, the current placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over study was designed to compare tonic and phasic alertness effects of acute and subchronic treatment with the most selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor available, Escitalopram, in healthy volunteers. Forty healthy volunteers, aged 18 - 39 years, underwent two treatment periods in which they were given Escitalopram 10 mg or placebo. The treatment was conducted one day or seven days. Tonic and phasic alertness were assessed at the time of the plasma peak through the Attention Network Test (ANT) during two sessions. It was found that Escitalopram did not influence tonic alertness after acute or subchronic administration. Measures of phasic alertness showed a tendency towards a reduction in phasic alertness under Escitalopram. The difference in intake-length of either one or seven days did not affect alertness. Our study indicates that Escitalopram neither faciliates nor reduces alertness of healthy volunteers in a fundamental way.
Source: RWTH Publications (RWTH Aachen)
Authors: Julia Bätz, Siegfried Gauggel
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W564364224