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Examination of the effect of acute levodopa administration on the loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP) in humans

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Abstract

Rationale

The loudness dependence of the auditory evoked potential (LDAEP) is considered a noninvasive in vivo marker of central serotonergic functioning in humans. Nevertheless, results of genetic association studies point towards a modulation of this biomarker by dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Objective

We examined the effect of dopaminergic modulation on the LDAEP using L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (levodopa)/benserazide (Madopar®) as a challenge agent in healthy volunteers.

Methods

A double-blind placebo-controlled challenge design was chosen. Forty-two healthy participants (21 females and 21 males) underwent two LDAEP measurements, following a baseline LDAEP measurement either placebo or levodopa (levodopa 200 mg/benserazide 50 mg) were given orally. Changes in the amplitude and dipole source activity of the N1/P2 intensities (60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 dB) were analyzed.

Results

The participants of neither the levodopa nor the placebo group showed any significant LDAEP alterations compared to the baseline measurement. The test–retest reliability (Cronbachs Alpha) between baseline and intervention was 0.966 in the verum group and 0.759 in the placebo group, respectively.

Conclusions

The administration of levodopa showed no effect on the LDAEP. These findings are in line with other trials using dopamine receptor agonists.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Johannes Schley for support with the voluntary server of the University of Zürich and Barbara Rauscher and her team for taking the blood samples. This study has been funded by an unrestricted grant of Bristol-Myers Squibb. The authors disclose any further conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Social Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    K. Hitz, K. Heekeren, C. Obermann & W. Kawohl

  2. Internal Medicine, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    T. Huber

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

    G. Juckel

  4. Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Militärstrasse 8, 8004, Zurich, Switzerland

    W. Kawohl

Authors
  1. K. Hitz
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  2. K. Heekeren
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  3. C. Obermann
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  4. T. Huber
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  5. G. Juckel
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  6. W. Kawohl
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. Kawohl.

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Hitz, K., Heekeren, K., Obermann, C. et al. Examination of the effect of acute levodopa administration on the loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP) in humans. Psychopharmacology 221, 389–396 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2586-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2586-8

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