Effects of branched chain amino acid dopamine depletion on memory, attention, and executive functions in healthy males.
Item
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Title
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Effects of branched chain amino acid dopamine depletion on memory, attention, and executive functions in healthy males.
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Identifier
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AAI3187367
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identifier
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3187367
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Creator
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Nassauer, Katharine W.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Jeffrey M. Halperin
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Date
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2005
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Cognitive
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Abstract
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This dissertation examined the effects of catecholamine depletion on memory, attention, and executive functions in 43 healthy male volunteers between 19 and 49 years of age (M = 33.6, SD = 8.9). A branched chain amino acid (BCAA) mixture composed of valine, isoleucine and leucine, reduces brain catecholamine precursor availability by increasing competition with tyrosine and phenylalanine for transport across the blood brain barrier and stimulating protein synthesis. The aims of this study were to examine the utility of BCAA as a method of global dopamine (DA) depletion and to investigate BCAA effects on cognition in healthy males. Subjects received BCAA and placebo on two separate days and completed cognitive tests at baseline, 3--4 hours and 5--6 hours post-drink in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design. It was hypothesized that BCAA would cause a significant sharp increase in plasma prolactin (PRL) levels, reflecting decreased DA neurotransmission. It was further expected that BCAA would impair performance on working memory, attention, and inhibitory control if these functions depend upon intact DA and that PRL response to BCAA would be related to cognitive performance. BCAA caused significant PRL level increases. Data revealed a trend for improved performance on attention and executive function measures reflected as decreased reaction time (RT) variability. BCAA did not affect memory measures. These findings indicate that in healthy males, BCAA catecholamine precursor depletion does not significantly impair cognition and may improve aspects of attention.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
