Cholinergic neurotransmission influences covert orientation of visuospatial attention in the rat

Citation
Jm. Phillips et al., Cholinergic neurotransmission influences covert orientation of visuospatial attention in the rat, PSYCHOPHAR, 150(1), 2000, pp. 112-116
Citations number
40
Categorie Soggetti
Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
Volume
150
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
112 - 116
Database
ISI
SICI code
Abstract
Rationale: Both monkey and human studies have suggested that attentional or ienting may be mediated by the cholinergic neurotransmitter system. Objecti ves: The purpose of the present study was to examine whether the cholinergi c agonist (nicotine) and/or antagonist (scopolamine) influence covert orien tation in the rat. Methods: Rats carried out a visual reaction time task to measure covert orienting of attention following systemic administration of nicotine or scopolamine. Results: Nicotine reduced reaction times, abolish ing the validity effect by differentially speeding the reaction times for i nvalidly cued targets. Conversely, scopolamine increased the validity effec t by disproportionately lengthening reaction times to invalidly cued target s. Conclusions: Taken together, these data indicate that cholinergic transm ission represents an important neurochemical substrate of visuospatial atte ntion, specifically influencing disengagement or movement of attention.