The effects of low doses of amylobarbitone sodium and diazepam on human performance.

Abstract

The effects of diazepam (2.5 and 5 mg) and amylobarbitone sodium (50 and 100 mg) on performance and subjective effects were assessed in a group of twelve healthy subjects under standardised conditions. Treatments were administered orally at weekly intervals according to a balanced design and under double‐blind conditions. The tests of performance most sensitive to drug effects in these healthy subjects were either prolonged and monotonous and gave the subject no feedback on performance, or required short term memory for efficient execution. Auditory vigilance was significantly impaired (P less than 0.05) between 45 min and 1 h 45 min after all drug treatments except amylobarbitone sodium (100 mg), compared with performance after lactose. At the same time false reports were significantly increased after amylobarbitone sodium (100 mg) compared with all other active drugs but not with lactose. These effects had disappeared 4‐5 h post drug. Short term memory was impaired 1h 45 min after all treatments and impairment was dose related. No significant effects occurred 5h after treatment. Simple auditory reaction time was prolonged 2 h after the highest doses of amylobarbitone sodium and diazpam, and by amylobarbitone sodium (50 mg) 5 h 15 min after treatment. At this time the effects of diazepam had worn off. Digit symbol substitution was impaired by amylobarbitone sodium (50 and 100 mg), and diazepam (5 mg) after 2 h 45 minutes. No significant changes in visual search or tapping occurred after active drugs compared with lactose. Subjective ratings indicated both mental and motor impairment 2 h 45 min after all active preparations compared with scores after lactose though significant changes followed diazepam (2.5 mg) infrequently. Both correct detections and false reports in auditory vigilance tended to fall over the 6 separate days of testing, indicating an increase in caution. Visual search, short term memory, tapping and digit symbol substitution significantly improved with time, but there was no change in reaction time. From the limited information obtained by sampling blood at 3 and 6 h, no relationship between change in performance and plasma level was found in these subjects.

Do lorazeam‐induced deficits in learning result from impaired rehearsal, reduced motivation or increased sedation?

“…It therefore appears that the lorazepam deficits in learning are closely related to self-ratings of the sedative action of the drug. Deficits in performance in learning tasks have been found to parallel ratings of sedation after administration of other CNS depressants (Hart et al, 1976).…”

Premedication for day case surgery

“…Hart et a/. 8 showed that the mental functions required for the test are particularly sensitive to benzodiazepines and, consequently, this test would be expcctcd to provide a good asscssmcnt of the effect of the drug. Certainly this test proved the most sensitive determinant of midazolam sedative activity in this study.…”

Performance Studies With Diazepam and Its Hydroxylated Metabolites

“…a few hours after ingestion of diazepam has been observed by Hart et al (1976) with a variety of tasks including auditory vigilance, reaction time, shortterm memory and digit symbol substitution. With temazepam our results were comparable with those of Hindmarch (1975), and so suggested a residual effect on performance with the 30 mg dose.…”