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The impact of yohimbine-induced arousal on facets of behavioural impulsivity

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Version 2 2023-06-12, 08:58
Version 1 2023-06-09, 16:32
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-12, 08:58 authored by Aleksandra Herman, Hugo CritchleyHugo Critchley, Dora Duka
Rationale State-dependent changes in physiological arousal may influence impulsive behaviours. Objectives To examine the relationship between arousal and impulsivity, we assessed the effects of yohimbine (an a2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, which increases physiological arousal via noradrenaline release) on performance on established laboratory-based impulsivity measures in healthy volunteers. Methods Forty-three participants received a single dose of either yohimbine hydrochloride or placebo before completing a battery of impulsivity measures. Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored throughout the study. Results Participants in the yohimbine group showed higher blood pressure and better response inhibition in the Stop Signal Task, relative to the placebo group. Additionally, individual changes in blood pressure were associated with performance on Delay Discounting and Information Sampling tasks: raised blood pressure following drug ingestion was associated with more far-sighted decisions in the Delay Discounting Task (lower temporal impulsivity) yet reduced information gathering in the Information Sampling Task (increased reflection impulsivity). Conclusions These results support the notion that impulsive behaviour is dependent upon state physiological arousal; however, distinct facets of impulsivity are differentially affected by physiological changes.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Psychopharmacology

ISSN

0033-3158

Publisher

Springer Verlag

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science Publications
  • Sussex Neuroscience Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2019-01-16

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-01-16

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2019-01-15

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