The effects of serotonin modulation on medial prefrontal connectivity strength and stability: A pharmacological fMRI study with citalopram

TY - JOUR

T1 - The effects of serotonin modulation on medial prefrontal connectivity strength and stability

T2 - A pharmacological fMRI study with citalopram

AU - Arnone, D.

AU - Wise, T.

AU - Walker, C.

AU - Cowen, P.J.

AU - Howes, O.

AU - Selvaraj, S.

PY - 2018/2/1

Y1 - 2018/2/1

N2 - Background Static and dynamic functional connectivity are being increasingly used to measure the effects of disease and a range of different interventions on brain networks. While preliminary evidence suggests that static connectivity can be modulated by chronic antidepressants administration in healthy individuals and in major depression, much less is known about the acute effects of antidepressants especially on dynamic functional connectivity changes. Here we examine acute effects of antidepressants on dynamic functional connectivity within the default mode network. The default mode network is a well described network with many functions in which the role of serotonin is not clear. Methods In this work we measured acute pharmacological effects of an infusion of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram 10 mg in a sample of thirteen healthy volunteers randomised to receive on two occasions the active compound or placebo in a cross over dosing. Results Acute citalopram administration relative to placebo increased static connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex. The SSRI also induced a reduction in variability of connectivity with the medial prefrontal cortex in the precuneus and posterior cingulate cortex. Discussion The measured changes are compatible with modified serotonin cortical availability.

AB - Background Static and dynamic functional connectivity are being increasingly used to measure the effects of disease and a range of different interventions on brain networks. While preliminary evidence suggests that static connectivity can be modulated by chronic antidepressants administration in healthy individuals and in major depression, much less is known about the acute effects of antidepressants especially on dynamic functional connectivity changes. Here we examine acute effects of antidepressants on dynamic functional connectivity within the default mode network. The default mode network is a well described network with many functions in which the role of serotonin is not clear. Methods In this work we measured acute pharmacological effects of an infusion of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram 10 mg in a sample of thirteen healthy volunteers randomised to receive on two occasions the active compound or placebo in a cross over dosing. Results Acute citalopram administration relative to placebo increased static connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex. The SSRI also induced a reduction in variability of connectivity with the medial prefrontal cortex in the precuneus and posterior cingulate cortex. Discussion The measured changes are compatible with modified serotonin cortical availability.

KW - Serotonin

KW - MRI

KW - Functional MRI

KW - Citalopram

KW - SSRI

U2 - 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.01.021

DO - 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.01.021

M3 - Article

SN - 0278-5846

VL - 84

SP - 152

EP - 159

JO - Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry

JF - Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry

IS - Part A

ER -