Serotonin and Motor Plasticity

The Effects of Serotonergic Challenge on Motor Learning and Neuroplasticity

Status

UNKNOWN

Phases

Phase 4

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT03162185

Enrollment

Registered

2017-05-22

Start date

2017-04-01

Completion date

2017-11-30

Last updated

2017-05-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Healthy Controls

Keywords

Neuroplasticity, SSRI, Motor Learning

Brief summary

With this study, the investigators aim to test whether acute administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) improves motor performance in a sequential motor learning task in comparison to placebo in healthy humans.

Detailed description

Microdialysis findings in animal models provide evidence for a monoaminergic augmentation of motor function. However, this evidence is largely limited to noradrenaline and dopamine, with little evidence to support a similar effect for serotonin. What remains to be tested therefore, is whether acute serotonergic administration induces neural or behavioral changes during motor learning also. Using a sample of 60 female participants (with the possible inclusion of male participants at a later date), the investigators aim to test the effects of a serotonergic challenge on motor learning and plasticity in healthy participants.

Interventions

DRUGEscitalopram

Experimental group participants (n = 30) will receive 20 mg of Escitalopram for 7 days.

DRUGPlacebo

Control group participants (n = 30) will receive a placebo for 7 days.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Masking description

Double-blind

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

FEMALE

Age

20 Years to 40 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* female * right-handed * healthy * has taken oral contraceptives (ovulation inhibitor) continuously for at least 3 months * has read and agreed to study parameters

Exclusion criteria

* tattoos on head or neck * non-removable metal on or in body * alcohol abuse * is currently taking medication * smokes more than 3 cigarettes per day * positive drug test * pregnancy * plays an instrument professionally * plays videogames more than 2 hours per week * is a professional athlete * suffers from migraines * has taken part in another study, where motor learning skills and/or medication is a factor, in the last 3 months * heart rhythm disorders (long QT) * hypertension * calcium or magnesium deficiency * neurological disorders * chronic metabolic disorders * liver or kidney diseases * immunodeficiency * endocrine disorders * psychiatric disorders * tumors * injuries to the head and brain

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Pinch Force Task.	1 week	The primary outcome measure will be reaction time and accuracy of motor responses, as measured by the Pinch Force Task. This will be applied to both the experimental (SSRI) and control (Placebo) groups.

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Primary ContactAlyson Buchenau

buchenau@cbs.mpg.de+49-341-9940-2216

Backup ContactEoin Molloy

molloy@cbs.mpg.de+49 341 9940-2555

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026