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Chronic modulation of serotonergic neurotransmission with sertraline attenuates the loudness dependence of the auditory evoked potential in healthy participants

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Abstract

Rationale

The loudness dependence of the auditory evoked potential (LDAEP) has been reported to be an effective non-invasive measure of central serotonergic neurotransmission. However, acute manipulations of the serotonergic system in humans and animals have yielded inconsistent findings.

Objectives

In this study, we examined the chronic effect of serotonergic manipulation using the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, sertraline, on the LDAEP. In addition, we examined the influence of 5-HTTLPR genotype and individual differences in plasma drug concentrations on the LDAEP.

Methods

The study utilised a double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-group design in which 40 (24 female) healthy adults (M age = 22.0 years, SE = 0.7) were tested following placebo or sertraline for an average of 24 days. The LDAEP was assessed 6 h post-final dose, and changes in the slope of amplitude of the N1/P2 across intensities (60, 70, 80, 90, 100 dB) were examined at Cz.

Results

The sertraline group had a significantly smaller LDAEP than the placebo group [F(1,38) = 5.97, p = 0.02]. Drug plasma levels did not correlate with the LDAEP in the sertraline group, and there was no influence of 5-HTTLPR genotype.

Conclusions

We show for the first time that chronically modulating serotonin neurotransmission alters the LDAEP in healthy adults, consistent with extant literature indicating a moderating role of serotonin on this neurophysiological biomarker. The findings from this study together with previous studies suggest that the LDAEP may be a more sensitive marker of long-term or chronic rather than acute changes in the serotonin system.

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Notes

  1. Several studies have reported that a stronger baseline LDAEP in MDD patients predicts a more favourable response to SSRI treatment than patients with a weaker LDAEP (Gallinat et al. 2000; Juckel et al. 2007; Mulert et al. 2007).

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge and thank Prof. Trevor Norman for carrying out plasma drug assays and Dr Ric Anney for genotyping samples. Partial funding for this study was received through the University of Melbourne Small Medical Grants Scheme. All recruitment and experimental protocols conducted comply with Australian laws. The authors have full control of all primary data and agree to allow the journal to review the data.

Declarations/conflicts

PJN is an employee of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals and holds shares in the company. No other conflicts of interest to report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, Locked Bag 10, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia

    Julian G. Simmons, Gregor Berger & Nicholas B. Allen

  2. Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia

    Julian G. Simmons & Nicholas B. Allen

  3. Brain Mapping Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Pradeep J. Nathan

  4. Clinical Unit Cambridge, Medicines Discovery and Development, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Cambridge, UK

    Pradeep J. Nathan

  5. Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Integrated Psychiatry Winterthur, 8408, Winterthur, Zürich, Switzerland

    Gregor Berger

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  1. Julian G. Simmons
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  4. Nicholas B. Allen
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Correspondence to Nicholas B. Allen.

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Simmons, J.G., Nathan, P.J., Berger, G. et al. Chronic modulation of serotonergic neurotransmission with sertraline attenuates the loudness dependence of the auditory evoked potential in healthy participants. Psychopharmacology 217, 101–110 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2265-9

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