Cognitive, psychomotor, and subjective effects of sodium oxybate and triazolam in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Rationale Illicit gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has received attention as a “date rape drug” that produces robust amnesia; however, there is little experimental evidence in support of GHB’s amnestic effects. Objectives This study compared the cognitive effects of GHB (sodium oxybate) with those of triazolam in healthy volunteers. Materials and methods Doses of sodium oxybate (1.125, 2.25, and 4.5 g/70 kg), triazolam (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/70 kg), and placebo were administered to 15 volunteers under repeated measures, counterbalanced, double-blind, double-dummy conditions. The time course and peak physiological, psychomotor, subjective, and cognitive effects were examined. Results Sodium oxybate and triazolam produced similar increases in participant ratings of drug effects. Performance on psychomotor, working memory, and episodic memory tasks was impaired to a greater extent after triazolam than sodium oxybate. Conclusions Together, these data suggest that sodium oxybate produces less psychomotor and cognitive impairment than triazolam at doses that produce equivalent participant-rated subjective effects in healthy volunteers.

γ-Hydroxybutyrate (Xyrem) ameliorates clinical symptoms and neuropathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

“…In addition, long-term therapy with GHB has been proposed for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal (Maremmani et al, 2001) with no reported problems of memory. However, acute doses of GHB may provoke some amnesia but far less important than hypnotic benzodiazepines (Carter et al, 2009). Our study shows that this amnestic effect of GHB is not persistent, even after chronic administration, confirming the clinical observations made in human patients.…”

Amnestic effects of sodium oxybate are less than those of triazolam—reply to Drs. Zvosec and Smith

“…Third, it is unlikely that there are larger doses of sodium oxybate that would result in much greater amnestic effects without loss of consciousness. This was found to be the case in a study that examined doses large enough to observe loss of consciousness (Carter et al 2006) and it is substantiated in the current study by the near maximal mean peak subjective effects ratings of drug effect and the significant decreases in balance at the largest dose of sodium oxybate studied (Carter et al 2009). Fourth, we agree and in fact, stated in the paper that studies designed to compare the effects of sodium oxybate and other drugs, such as ethanol, might be fruitful efforts.…”

Inhaled vs. oral alprazolam: subjective, behavioral and cognitive effects, and modestly increased abuse potential

“…The score was the number of words (out of 16) correctly recalled. For details, see (Carter et al 2009). …”