Background Noradrenaline has an important role as a neuromodulator of the central nervous system. Noradrenergic enhancement was recently shown to enhance glutamate-dependent cortical facilitation and long term potentiation-like plasticity. As cortical excitability and plasticity are closely linked to various cognitive processes, here we aimed to explore whether these alterations are associated with respective cognitive performance changes. Specifically, we assessed the impact of noradrenergic enhancement on motor learning (serial reaction time task), attentional processes (Stroop interference task), and working memory performance (n-back letter task). Methods The study was conducted in a cross-over design. Twenty-five healthy humans performed the respective cognitive tasks after a single dose of the noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor reboxetine or placebo administration. Results The results show that motor learning, attentional processes, and working memory performance in healthy participants were improved by reboxetine application compared with placebo. Conclusions The results of the present study thus suggest that noradrenergic enhancement can improve memory formation and executive functions in healthy humans. The respective changes are in line with related effects of noradrenaline on cortical excitability and plasticity.

中文翻译：

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去甲肾上腺素能增强人类的运动学习、注意力和工作记忆

背景去甲肾上腺素作为中枢神经系统的神经调节剂具有重要作用。最近显示去甲肾上腺素能增强可增强谷氨酸依赖性皮质促进和长期增强样可塑性。由于皮质兴奋性和可塑性与各种认知过程密切相关，因此我们旨在探索这些改变是否与各自的认知表现变化有关。具体来说，我们评估了去甲肾上腺素能增强对运动学习（串行反应时间任务）、注意力过程（Stroop 干扰任务）和工作记忆表现（n-back letter 任务）的影响。方法 本研究采用交叉设计进行。在单剂去甲肾上腺素再摄取抑制剂瑞波西汀或安慰剂给药后，25 名健康人完成了各自的认知任务。结果 结果表明，与安慰剂相比，瑞波西汀应用改善了健康参与者的运动学习、注意力过程和工作记忆表现。结论 因此，本研究的结果表明，去甲肾上腺素能增强可以改善健康人的记忆形成和执行功能。各自的变化与去甲肾上腺素对皮质兴奋性和可塑性的相关影响一致。结论 因此，本研究的结果表明，去甲肾上腺素能增强可以改善健康人的记忆形成和执行功能。各自的变化与去甲肾上腺素对皮质兴奋性和可塑性的相关影响一致。结论 因此，本研究的结果表明，去甲肾上腺素能增强可以改善健康人的记忆形成和执行功能。各自的变化与去甲肾上腺素对皮质兴奋性和可塑性的相关影响一致。