ERP and neurotransmitters

Abstract

The increasing knowledge concerning anatomical structures and cellular processes underlying event‐related potentials (ERP) and methodological advances in ERP data analysis (e.g. dipole source analysis) begins to bridge the gap between ERP and neurochemical aspects. Several recent reports are summarized suggesting that quite specific relationships may exist between certain ERP‐parameters and central cholinergic, noradrenergic and especially serotonergic function. Reliable indicators of the serotonin system are urgently needed because of its role in pathogenetic concepts and as target of pharmacotherapeutic interventions in psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Converging arguments from preclinical and clinical studies are presented supporting the hypothesis that the dependence of the auditory evoked N1/P2‐response on stimulus intensity (loudness) is regulated by the level of central serotonergic neurotransmission. Dipole source analysis represents an important methodological advance in this context, because N1/P2‐subcomponents, generated by different cortical structures with different serotonergic innervations, can be separated. A pronounced intensity dependence of the evoked activity of primary auditory cortices is supposed to indicate a low central serotonergic neurotransmission and vice versa. This intensity dependence is shown to be a parameter with clinical value because subgroups of patients with a serotonergic dysfunction can be identified and can be treated more specifically.