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Evidence for the role of serotonin in the inhibition of specific motor responses

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Abstract

Two behavioural paradigms were used to test the effects of serotonin depletion on a specific form of response inhibition. Treatment with both p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA) at 200 mg/kg and lesions of the medial raphe nucleus impaired the acquisition of a step-off passive-avoidance response. The experimental design allowed the elimination of alternative interpretations in terms of increased sensitivity to shock and increased responsiveness to stimuli. p-CPA also impaired response inhibition during an omission-training schedule. The results of the three studies support a general role of serotonin in withholding specific instrumental (reinforced) motor actions. The results contrast with those of studies supporting a role of noradrenaline in response inhibition. A tentative conclusion supports Konorski's (1967) suggestion for differentiation of various types of response inhibition that are mediated by different neurochemical systems.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, P. O. Box 147, L69 3BX, Liverpool, UK

    E. W. Thornton & A. J. Goudie

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  1. E. W. Thornton
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  2. A. J. Goudie
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Thornton, E.W., Goudie, A.J. Evidence for the role of serotonin in the inhibition of specific motor responses. Psychopharmacology 60, 73–79 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00429182

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00429182

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