Effects of selective 5-HT1A agonist tandospirone on the rate and rhythmicity of binocular rivalry

• DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1139-2
• Publication Date: 2008-04-11T02:50:57Z
• Authors: Masanori Nagamine; Aihide Yoshino; Masaki Miyazaki; Yoshitomo Takahashi; Soichiro Nomura
• Keywords: Binocular rivalry

When dissimilar figures are presented to each eye individually, perception alternates spontaneously between each monocular view. This phenomenon, binocular rivalry, has been suggested to depend on serotonergic neural systems.To investigate the relationship between binocular rivalry and serotonergic neural systems in more detail, we measured the perceptual alternation rate and rhythmicity of binocular rivalry under the influence of the 5-HT(1A) agonist tandospirone.Fifteen healthy volunteers were tested under placebo and 60 mg tandospirone conditions using the single-blind method. The perceptual alternation rate and rhythmicity of binocular rivalry were measured at pre-administration and at 90, 180, and 360 min post-administration.Compared to placebo, the administration of tandospirone decreased the rate and rhythmicity of perceptual switching significantly at 90 and 180 min post-administration in a manner that is consistent with its pharmacokinetics.The present results suggest that the 5-HT(1A) neural pathways, mainly located in the mesolimbic system and brainstem, may play a crucial role as an oscillator in perceptual rivalry alternations.