Effect of d-amphetamine on post-error slowing in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Rationale Post-error slowing has long been considered a sign of healthy error detection and an important component of cognitive function. However, the neuropharmacological processes underlying post-error slowing are poorly understood. Objectives This study investigated the effect of the dopamine agonist d-amphetamine on post-error slowing and secondarily, the potential mediator of drug-induced euphoria and potential moderators of personality and baseline task performance. Methods Healthy male and female participants (N=110) completed four study sessions, at which d-amphetamine (placebo 5, 10, 20 mg) was administered under double-blind, counter-balanced conditions. At each session, participants completed subjective drug effect assessments and a working memory task (N-back) to measure post-error slowing. They completed the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) during screening. Results Amphetamine (20 mg) reduced post-error slowing, consistent with a dampened behavioral reactivity to errors. This was not related to drug-induced euphoria. Although higher scores on MPQ constraint were related to less post-error slowing under placebo conditions, neither personality nor baseline cognitive performance moderated the effects of amphetamine on post-error slowing. Conclusions The finding that amphetamine reduced post-error slowing supports the idea that dopamine plays a role in error stimulus processing. The finding is discussed in relation to an existing literature on the mechanisms and function of behavioral and electrophysiological indices of error sensitivity.

Noradrenergic versus dopaminergic modulation of impulsivity, attention and monitoring behaviour in rats performing the stop-signal task

“…The present data suggest that DA D3 receptors are involved in the PES component of the SST, consistent with previous literature on the role of DA in error-monitoring and behavioural adjustment (Chevrier and Schachar 2010 ; de Bruijn et al 2004 ; Hester et al 2012 ; Holroyd and Coles 2002 ; Nandam et al 2012 ; Nieuwenhuis et al 2002 ; Wardle et al 2012 ; Zirnheld et al 2004 ).…”

Beyond sensation seeking: a conceptual framework for individual differences in psychostimulant drug effects in healthy humans

“…Serotonin can be conceptualized as a modulator that sets the ‘threshold’ for the expression of behavior and emotion: low levels of serotonin may reduce the threshold for behavior and emotional responses while high levels may raise the threshold over which behavior is expressed [38]. Laboratory evaluation of stimulant drug effects on cognition indicate reduction in post-error slowing after moderately high amphetamine dose (20 mg) and a relationship between low scores on MPQ Constraint (low impulsivity) and reduced post-error slowing [43]. This observation suggests a relationship between trait impulsivity and error-related cognition under non-drug conditions.…”

Impaired Bayesian learning for cognitive control in cocaine dependence

“…Participants typically slow down in go trial reaction time (RT) following a stop error as compared to go trial – a phenomenon that has been called posterror slowing (Li et al, 2008b; Rabbitt, 1966). Acute administration of psychoactive substances such as amphetamine and alcohol diminishes post-error slowing (Bombeke et al, 2013; Wardle et al, 2012). Compared to healthy people, cocaine dependent individuals also demonstrated diminished post-error slowing (Li et al, 2006b), as in many other clinical populations that implicate deficits in cognitive control (Liu et al, 2013; Shiels et al, 2012).…”