TY - JOUR

T1 - Three weeks of SSRI administration enhances the visual perceptual threshold

T2 - a randomized placebo-controlled study

AU - Lansner, Jon

AU - Jensen, Christian Gaden

AU - Petersen, Anders

AU - Fisher, Patrick M.

AU - Frokjaer, Vibe G.

AU - Vangkilde, Signe Allerup

AU - Knudsen, Gitte Moos

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Rationale: The serotonergic system has been repeatedly linked to visual attention in general, but the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) on specific components of visual attention remain unknown. Changes in distinct perceptual and cognitive processes are not readily evident in most attention paradigms. Objective: In this study, we isolate basic components of visual attention to investigate potential effects of longer-term SSRI administration on non-emotional aspects of visual attention in healthy males. Methods: In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design, 32 young healthy males were tested on multiple attentional parameters, before and after a 3-week SSRI intervention with fluoxetine (40 mg daily) or placebo. Data were modeled with a computational theory of visual attention to derive independent estimates of five distinct components of visual attention. Results: The SSRI intervention selectively and significantly lowered the threshold for conscious visual perception. Specifically, we demonstrate that this improvement does not stem from a general increase in the speed of visual processing, as previously suggested, but specifically from a change in the perceptual threshold. Conclusions: The study provides a novel description of the attentional dynamics affected by SSRI, while supporting previous findings on attentional effects of SSRI. Furthermore, it accentuates the utility of employing accuracy-based measures of attentional performance when conducting psychopharmacological research.

AB - Rationale: The serotonergic system has been repeatedly linked to visual attention in general, but the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) on specific components of visual attention remain unknown. Changes in distinct perceptual and cognitive processes are not readily evident in most attention paradigms. Objective: In this study, we isolate basic components of visual attention to investigate potential effects of longer-term SSRI administration on non-emotional aspects of visual attention in healthy males. Methods: In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design, 32 young healthy males were tested on multiple attentional parameters, before and after a 3-week SSRI intervention with fluoxetine (40 mg daily) or placebo. Data were modeled with a computational theory of visual attention to derive independent estimates of five distinct components of visual attention. Results: The SSRI intervention selectively and significantly lowered the threshold for conscious visual perception. Specifically, we demonstrate that this improvement does not stem from a general increase in the speed of visual processing, as previously suggested, but specifically from a change in the perceptual threshold. Conclusions: The study provides a novel description of the attentional dynamics affected by SSRI, while supporting previous findings on attentional effects of SSRI. Furthermore, it accentuates the utility of employing accuracy-based measures of attentional performance when conducting psychopharmacological research.

KW - 5-HT

KW - Attention

KW - Cognition

KW - Healthy

KW - Human

KW - Non-motor

KW - Perception

KW - Serotonin

KW - SSRI

KW - Theory of visual attention

KW - TVA

KW - Unspeeded response

U2 - 10.1007/s00213-018-5158-3

DO - 10.1007/s00213-018-5158-3

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 30623228

AN - SCOPUS:85059777952

VL - 236

SP - 1759

EP - 1769

JO - Psychopharmacology

JF - Psychopharmacology

SN - 0033-3158

IS - 6

ER -