The behavioural effects of the serotonin 1A receptor agonist buspirone on cognition and emotional processing in healthy volunteers.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

The 5-HT_1A receptor is expressed widely across the brain and is implicated in the mechanism of action of several therapeutics for mood disorders. However, there is limited and contradictory evidence about the role of this receptor in emotional processing and cognition.

Objectives

The current study tested the acute effects of a single dose of the 5-HT_1A agonist buspirone (20 mg), on a range of emotional processing (Emotional Test Battery) and cognitive (Auditory Verbal Learning Task (AVLT) and N-back) tasks in healthy, male and female volunteers (N = 62). The study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, parallel group design.

Results

Buspirone reduced accuracy for detection of facial expressions of disgust and increased misc

SUBMITTER: Smith ALW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12296846 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature