Dopaminergic modulation of semantic network activation

In order to examine the effect of dopamine on semantic processing, we performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Healthy volunteers (n = 31) were tested in a lexical decision paradigm after ingestion of either L-dopa 100 mg with benserazide 25 mg or placebo. While direct semantic priming was influenced only marginally by L-dopa, the indirect priming effects was reduced significantly. These data support the hypothesis that dopamine increases the signal-to-noise ratio in semantic networks by reducing the spread of semantic processing, thereby leading to a focussing of activation.

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