The potential improvement on attention and memory of a single oral does of R U 41 656, and the potential antagonism of the deficits of these functions induced by oral administration of scopolamine 1 mg and triazolam 0.5 mg, have been investigated in a six-period, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study involving 12 healthy young volunteers. The effects of the compounds were evaluated by objective test (Buschke selective reminding test, CFF, simple and multiple-choice reaction time, tapping, arithmetical calculation, DSST) and subjective measurements (visual analogue scale, side-effects questionnaire). Measurements were taken before treatment and 2, 4 and 7 h after R U 41 656 intake. Neither placebo alone nor R U 41 656 alone modified the performances of these subjects. Under the experimental conditions of the trial, scopolamine given orally did not cause the disturbances of attention and memory usually described. On the contrary, triazolam caused a pronounced impairment of vigilance and memory. R U 41 656 did not antagonize the sedative effects of triazolam, but partially attenuated its amnesic effects.