Catecholamine function, brain state dynamics, and human cognition

Brink, R.L. van den (2017)

Doctoral Thesis

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a nucleus in the brainstem, and projects widely to the forebrain where it releases norepinephrine (NE). Catecholamines such as NE do not have a unitary effect on their target neurons, but instead influence the function of other neurotransmitters, a process that is known known as neuromodulation. By virtue of the LC’s wide projection profile and the neuromodulatory properties of NE, the LC-NE system profoundly influences neural firing characteristics and associated cognitive processes. The work presented in this thesis addresses the role of the LC-NE system in various aspects of human cognition, and the modulation of brain state.

• Neuromodulation
• Norepinephrine
• Dopamine
• Connectivity
• Cognition
• Attention

• All authors: Brink, R.L. van den
• Supervisor: NIeuwenhuis, S.T.
• Co-supervisor: Steenbergen, H. van
• Committee: Ridderinkhof, R.K.; Forstmann, B.U.; Cohen, M.X.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Institute of Psychology, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University
• Date: 2017-11-07
• ISBN (print): 9789402807592