The effects of zimeldine and amitriptyline on car driving and psychomotor performance

Abstract

ABSTRACT— The development of an objective measure of car driving performance, brake reaction time (BRT), is described, and the effects of amitriptyline and zimeldine on this measure are compared in a placebo‐controlled, acute, single dose, volunteer study.The effects of treatment on laboratory tests of critical flicker fusion (CFF) threshold, choice reaction time (CRT) and tracking accuracy and on self‐assessments of sedation are also examined. At 2 hours post‐treatment, amitriptyline produced a significant increase in brake reaction time when compared to both placebo and zimeldine. At 4 hours post‐treatment, a significant reduction in “tracking accuracy” and a significant increase in CRT was observed after treatment with amitriptyline, while no such effects were seen with zimeldine. Measures of CFF threshold and self‐ratings of sedation also revealed that amitriptyline produced a significant degree of sedation at 4 hours when compared to zimeldine and placebo. In contrast, zimeldine produced elevated CFF threshold, but did not affect self‐ratings of sedation.

A placebo controlled double‐blind evaluation of the pharmacodynamics of fengabine vs amitriptyline following single and multiple doses in elderly volunteers.

“…Fengabine had a neutral effect throughout the test battery. Due to the fact that the detrimental effects of amitriptyline have been well documented (Hanks, 1984;Hindmarch et al, 1983Hindmarch et al, , 1988Hindmarch & Subhan, 1986) and that these tests have previously been shown to be valid and reliable indicators of drug effects (Hindmarch et al, 1990b(Hindmarch et al, , 1991, it can be concluded that, as fengabine 200 mg and 400 mg has no significant effect on the test battery when compared to placebo, it has very low potential for behavioural toxicity in elderly patients.…”

“…Tracking test This interactive task of psychomotor function entailed tracking a moving arrow on a VDU screen, using a joystick (Hindmarch et al, 1983). The response measure (RMS) is the mean deviation from the track program over the 1 min trial period, with lower scores indicating more accurate tracking.…”

“…Criticalflickerfusion threshold (CFF) CFF (Hindmarch, 1975;1982;Hindmarch et al, 1983) was used as a means of measuring the ability to distinguish discrete sensory data and was taken as an index of overall CNS activity. Subjects were required to discriminate flicker from fusion in a set of four light emitting diodes in foveal fixation at 1 metre.…”

“…Choice reaction time (CRT) CRT (Hindmarch, 1975(Hindmarch, , 1982Hindmarch et al, 1983) was used as a measure of sensorimotor performance. Subjects were required to extinguish one of six red lights, illuminated at random, by touching the appropriate response button.…”

Antidepressant Drugs and Psychomotor Performance

“…Whereas the psychometric methods so far described measure relatively simple sensory and psychomotor func tions, Hindmarch et al [12,13] stress the importance of multidimensional complex experimental setups which are needed for examination of drug effects on daily activities such as car driving for reasons of environmental validity. Such setups as a rule consist of a driving simulator (CAR) in which different complex coordination jobs must be done the individual components of which are derived from the above described methods.…”