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Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 2003 Mar;74(3):376–378. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.74.3.376

Decision making in humans: the effect of manipulating the central noradrenergic system

R O'Carroll 1, B Papps 1
PMCID: PMC1738336  PMID: 12588933

Abstract

Methods: Thirty healthy young adults were randomly allocated to receive placebo, 4 mg, or 8 mg reboxetine (a new selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor that acts to increase central noradrenergic activity). It is hypothesised that enhancement of central noradrenergic activity may amplify the effect of afferent feedback, and lead to altered decision making. All subjects completed the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), a computerised card playing game where the player is instructed to try and win as much money as possible over 100 selections from one of four decks.

Results: There were no significant differences between the three groups in gambling task performance.

Conclusion: This result suggests that central noradrenergic activity may not be critically involved in the afferent feedback mechanism that is central to the somatic marker hypothesis.

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