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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

P50 Sensory Gating in Infants
Published on: December 26, 2013
Improved p50 auditory gating with ondansetron in medicated schizophrenia patients
Lawrence E Adler1, Ellen M Cawthra, Kara A Donovan
1Denver VA Medical Center, 1055 Clermont St., Denver, CO 80220, USA. Lawrence.Adler@med.va.gov
Objective:
Most schizophrenia patients have a deficit in auditory sensory gating, which appears to be mediated by the alpha-7 nicotinic receptor, that is not improved with conventional antipsychotic treatment. This study examined the effects of ondansetron, a highly selective 5-HT3 antagonist, on the P50 auditory evoked potential.
Method:
Eight medicated outpatients with schizophrenia were given either ondansetron (16 mg) or placebo in a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Evoked potentials were recorded at baseline and 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours after receipt of drug.
Results:
There was a highly significant improvement in P50 gating after ondansetron treatment. The maximal treatment difference was at 2 hours posttreatment (ondansetron: mean=41.4%, SD=39.7%; placebo: mean=80.2%, SD=21.3%).
Conclusions:
Ondansetron significantly enhanced P50 auditory gating in schizophrenia patients treated with typical antipsychotics.
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