How Human Electrophysiology Informs Psychopharmacology: from Bottom-up Driven Processing to Top-Down Control

• Published in: Neuropsychopharmacology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 26 - 51
• Main Authors: Kenemans, J Leon, Kähkönen, Seppo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 01.01.2011
• Subjects: Behavior; Brain - anatomy & histology; Brain - metabolism; Brain - physiology; Brain Chemistry - physiology; Electroencephalography; Electroencephalography - methods; Electrophysiology - methods; Event-Related Potentials, P300 - physiology; Executive Function - physiology; Experimental psychology; Humans; Information processing; Localization; Magnetic fields; Magnetoencephalography - methods; Mental Processes - physiology; Neuropsychopharmacology Reviews; Neurotransmitter Agents - physiology; Psychopharmacology; Psychopharmacology - methods; Netherlands
• ISSN: 0893-133X; 1740-634X; 1740-634X
• DOI: 10.1038/npp.2010.157

This review surveys human event-related brain potential (ERP) and event-related magnetic field (ERF) approaches to psychopharmacology and psychopathology, and the way in which they complement behavioral studies and other neuroimaging modalities. The major paradigms involving ERP/ERF are P50 suppression, loudness-dependent auditory evoked potential (LDAEP), mismatch negativity (MMN), P300, mental chronometry, inhibitory control, and conflict processing (eg, error-related negativity (ERN)). Together these paradigms cover a range of more bottom-up driven to more top-down controlled processes. A number of relationships between the major neurotransmitter systems and electrocortical mechanisms are highlighted. These include the role of dopamine in conflict processing, and perceptual processing vs motor preparation; the role of serotonin in P50 suppression, LDAEP, and MMN; glutamate/NMDA and MMN; and the role of acetylcholine in P300 generation and memory-related processes. A preliminary taxonomy for these relationships is provided, which should be helpful in attuning possible new treatments or new applications of existing treatments to various disorders.