Serotonergic modulation of effective connectivity in an associative relearning network during task and rest

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.118887
• Publication Date: 2022-01-06T17:14:46Z
• Authors: Murray Bruce Reed; Manfred Klöbl; Godber Mathis God...; Patricia Anna Han...; Vera Ritter; Benjamin Spurny-D...; Jakob Unterholzner; Christoph Kraus; Gregor Gryglewski; Dietmar Winkler; René Seiger; Thomas Vanicek; Andreas Hahn; Rupert Lanzenberger
• Keywords: Escitalopram; Serotonin reuptake inhibitor; Associative learning

An essential core function of one's cognitive flexibility is the use acquired knowledge and skills to adapt ongoing environmental changes. Animal models have highlighted influence serotonin has on neuroplasticity. These effects been predominantly demonstrated during emotional relearning which theorized as a possible model for depression. However, translation these mechanisms in its infancy. To this end, we assessed changes effective connectivity at rest associative learning proxy neuroplastic healthy volunteers. 76 participants underwent 6 weeks or non-emotional (re)learning (face-matching Chinese character-German noun matching). During either self-administered 10 mg/day selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram placebo double-blind design. Associative tasks, resting-state structural images were recorded before after both phases (day 1, 21 42). Escitalopram intake modulated network encompassing right insula, anterior cingulate cortex angular gyrus. Here, process SSRI showed greater decrease from insula gyrus, with increases opposite direction when compared placebo. In contrast, intrinsic connections those only marginally affected by escitalopram. Further investigation gray matter volume functionally active regions revealed no significant SSRI-induced findings indicate that plays central role SSRIs further potentiate effect. sum, amplify learning-induced rather than affecting task resting-state.