Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/190011

Title

Evidence for sex differences in the loudness dependence of the auditory evoked potential in humans

Author(s)

Oliva, Jessica L.;  Leung, Sumie;  Croft, Rodney J.;  O'Neill, Barry V.;  Stout, Julie C.;  Nathan, Pradeep J.

Abstract

Objective: The loudness dependence of the auditory evoked potential (LDAEP) has been suggested as a marker of the serotonin system, although studies directly examining the relationship between acute changes in serotonin and the LDAEP have been inconsistent. Given the reported sex dichotomy in serotonin neurotransmission, this study examined if there are sex differences in the LDAEP. Methods: Data from 65 healthy participants from four independent studies were pooled, and their N1/P2 slopes were quantified. Results: Mean N1/P2 slopes for female participants were higher than those for male participants (p<0.0001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the LDAEP is modulated by sex potentially because of differences in serotonergic neurotransmission, and these differences may account for some of the inconsistent findings linking serotonin function and LDAEP.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Life and Social Sciences. Brain Sciences Institute

Source

Human Psychopharmacology, Vol. 26, no. 2 (Mar 2011), pp. 172-176

Publication year

2011

FOR Code(s)

1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences;  1701 Psychology;  1702 Cognitive Sciences

Keyword(s)

Auditory evoked potential;  Gender;  LDAEP;  Loudness dependence;  Serotonin;  Sex

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

ISSN

0885-6222

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hup.1187

Copyright

Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Peer reviewed