The impact of Yohimbine-induced arousal on facets of behavioural impulsivity

Aleksandra M Herman,Hugo D Critchley,Theodora Duka

doi:10.1007/s00213-018-5160-9

Abstract

RationaleState-dependent changes in physiological arousal may influence impulsive behaviours.ObjectivesTo examine the relationship between arousal and impulsivity, we assessed the effects of yohimbine (an α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, which increases physiological arousal via noradrenaline release) on performance on established laboratory-based impulsivity measures in healthy volunteers.MethodsForty-three participants received a single dose of either yohimbine hydrochloride or placebo before completing a battery of impulsivity measures. Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored throughout the study.ResultsParticipants in the yohimbine group showed higher blood pressure and better response inhibition in the Stop Signal Task, relative to the placebo group. Additionally, individual changes in blood pressure were associated with performance on Delay Discounting and Information Sampling tasks: raised blood pressure following drug ingestion was associated with more far-sighted decisions in the Delay Discounting Task (lower temporal impulsivity) yet reduced information gathering in the Information Sampling Task (increased reflection impulsivity).ConclusionsThese results support the notion that impulsive behaviour is dependent upon state physiological arousal; however, distinct facets of impulsivity are differentially affected by physiological changes.

Highlights

Impulsivity describes a tendency to act rapidly without considering the consequences of one’s actions (Daruna and Barnes 1993; Moeller et al 2001)
The final sample consisted of 42 participants (23 females), of which 21 (12 females) received placebo and 21 (11 females) yohimbine
Five participants did not complete Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and data from Monetary Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) were missing for two individuals, due to technical failure; all data from questionnaires administered after tablet ingestion (PANAS, Perceived Arousal Scale and Drug Effects Questionnaire (DEQ)) were missing for one participant

Summary

Introduction

Impulsivity describes a tendency to act rapidly without considering the consequences of one’s actions (Daruna and Barnes 1993; Moeller et al 2001). Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct, which can be considered both as a stable personality characteristic (trait) and as behaviour that varies depending on a situation (state impulsivity) (Herman et al 2018a). Current mood and/or arousal state (Herman et al 2018a) is shown to induce changes in distinct facets of behavioural impulsivity.

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