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Non-cholinergic modulation of antisaccade performance: a modafinil-nicotine comparison

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Abstract

Introduction

The antisaccade task provides a powerful tool with which to investigate the cognitive and neural systems underlying goal-directed behaviour, particularly in situations when the correct behavioural response requires the suppression of a prepotent response. Antisaccade errors (failures to suppress reflexive prosaccades towards sudden-onset targets) are increased in patients with damage to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and in patients with schizophrenia. Nicotine has been found to improve antisaccade performance in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. This performance enhancing effect may be due to direct effects on the cholinergic system, but there has been no test of this hypothesis.

Materials and methods

In a double blind, double dummy, placebo-controlled design, we compared the effect of nicotine and modafinil, a putative indirect noradrenergic agonist, on antisaccade performance in healthy non-smokers.

Results and discussion

Both compounds reduced latency for correct antisaccades, although neither reduced antisaccade errors. These findings are discussed with reference to the pharmacological route of performance enhancement on the antisaccade task and current models of antisaccade performance.

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Notes

  1. Nasal spray administration has been shown to reach peak plasma concentration more rapidly than oral or transdermal patch preparations. In one study peak serum nicotine concentration of 4.71 +/− 3.16 ng/ml occurred 10 min after administration of 3 mg of nicotine via nasal spray (Fishbein et al. 2000)

  2. We note a potential confound on this physiological measure with meal-related changes (lunch was given to all participants 3 1/2 hours post baseline) that widen the pulse pressure (diastolic–systolic gap) through a reduction in total resistance (De Mey et al. 1993)

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a BBSRC D. Phil studentship to the first author. We thank McNeil AB, Helsingborg, Sweden, for providing the nicotine nasal sprays and matched placebo sprays.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Sussex University, Pevensey 1, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9QH, UK

    N. Rycroft, S. B. Hutton & J. M. Rusted

  2. Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9PX, UK

    O. Clowry, C. Groomsbridge & A. Sierakowski

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  1. N. Rycroft
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  2. S. B. Hutton
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  3. O. Clowry
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  4. C. Groomsbridge
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Correspondence to S. B. Hutton.

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Rycroft, N., Hutton, S.B., Clowry, O. et al. Non-cholinergic modulation of antisaccade performance: a modafinil-nicotine comparison. Psychopharmacology 195, 245–253 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-007-0885-x

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