Serotonergic-1a activity and contingent negative variation

While cholinergic, dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and gabaergic effects on co ntingent negative variation (CNV) have been largely described, little is kn own about serotonergic influence. Therefore, the relationship between CNV a nd serotonergic activity as reflected by prolactin (PRL) response to flesin oxan, a 5-HT1A full agonist, has been investigated in 28 healthy volunteers . To investigate the clinical implications of the relationship between CNV and serotonergic-la activity, a group of 43 depressed patients was included in the study. Results among healthy volunteers showed a significant negati ve relationship between PRL response to flesinoxan and CNV amplitude at Fz, but no relationship for the other electrodes (Cz and Pt). In depressed pat ients, the relationships were not significant. Overall, this study does not support serotonergic effects on CNV. However, this information is indirect (correlations) and is limited to 5-HT1A activity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.