Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol is known to reduce peripheral and central activity of noradrenaline. A recent study found that intervention with propranolol diminished negative implicit racial bias. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The current study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in order to determine the neural correlates of this effect. Healthy volunteers (N = 40) of white ethnic origin received a single oral dose (40 mg) of propranolol, in a randomised, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled design, before viewing unfamiliar faces of same and other race. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We found significantly reduced activity in the fusiform gyrus and thalamus following propranolol to out-group faces only. Additionally, propranolol lowered the implicit attitude score, without affecting explicit prejudice measure. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that noradrenaline pathways might modulate racial bias by acting on the processing of categorisation in the fusiform gyrus.
DOI
10.1007/s00213-015-3929-7
Publication Date
2015-08-01
Publication Title
Psychopharmacology
Volume
232
Issue
16
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
ISSN
1432-2072
Embargo Period
2024-11-22
First Page
2951
Last Page
2958
Recommended Citation
Terbeck, S., Kahane, G., McTavish, S., McCutcheon, R., & et al. (2015) 'β-Adrenoceptor blockade modulates fusiform gyrus activity to black versus white faces', Psychopharmacology, 232(16), pp. 2951-2958. Springer Science and Business Media LLC: Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-015-3929-7
