Current Biology
Volume 24, Issue 19, 6 October 2014, Pages 2314-2318
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Serotonergic Modulation of Intrinsic Functional Connectivity

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2014.08.024Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Single dose of SSRI changes functional architecture of the human brain

  • This change in intrinsic connectivity occurs within a few hours of SSRI intake

  • SSRI intake reduces majority of intrinsic connectivity throughout the brain

  • In contrast, intrinsic connectivity increases in cerebellum and thalamus

Summary

Serotonin functions as an essential neuromodulator that serves a multitude of roles, most prominently balancing mood [1]. Serotonergic challenge has been observed to reduce intrinsic functional connectivity in brain regions implicated in mood regulation [2, 3, 4]. However, the full scope of serotonergic action on functional connectivity in the human brain has not been explored. Here, we show evidence that a single dose of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor dramatically alters functional connectivity throughout the whole brain in healthy subjects (n = 22). Our network-centrality analysis reveals a widespread decrease in connectivity in most cortical and subcortical areas. In the cerebellum and thalamus, however, we find localized increases. These rapid and brain-encompassing connectivity changes linked to acute serotonin transporter blockade suggest a key role for the serotonin transporter in the modulation of the functional macroscale connectome.

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