The use of microcomputer‐based psychomotor tests for the evaluation of benzodiazepine effects on human performance: a review with emphasis on temazepam.

Abstract

1 The literature relating to the effects of benzodiazepines in general, and temazepam in particular, on human psychomotor performance as assessed using microcomputerbased testing batteries is surveyed. 2 The adverse effects of central nervous system depressants on performance is an important mediocolegal issue and frequently comes into question in on-the-road and on-the-job accidents. The use of microcomputer-based testing batteries allows for performance evaluation both in the laboratory and at-the-scene, as well as providing the opportunity to model a large number of different behaviours required in routine yet complex psychomotor tasks. 3 The conclusions in general are: (1) The benzodiazepines as a class of drugs impair both cognitive and motor performance. These effects are often subtle when low doses are involved or when testing occurs the morning following evening administration of the medication. (2) No single psychomotor task adequately simulates complex daily tasks such as automobile driving. A battery of tests that evaluates a number of the components of such tasks is necessary to determine adequately the full range of effects of these medications.

Temazepam at high altitude reduces periodic breathing without impairing next‐day performance: a randomized cross‐over double‐blind study

“…, 1993). A review of temazepam on computer‐based psychomotor tests performed at low altitude showed it to have highly variable effects (Kunsman et al. , 1992).…”

Errors in performance testing: a comparison of ethanol and temazepam

“…Impairments to formation of new long-term memory, increased response times and an increase in errors or reduction in task accuracy are all seen at doses well within the range of social drinking (Wallgren and Barry, 1970;Hindmarch et al, 1991;Cameron et al, 2001). These effects are similar in many respects to those found with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants; for example, benzodiazepines and anaesthetics (Block et al, 1988;Curran and Birch, 1991;Kunsman et al, 1992).…”

Despite Similar Anxiolytic Potential, the 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2C Receptor Antagonist SB-242084 [6-Chloro-5-methyl-1-[2-(2-methylpyrid-3-yloxy)-pyrid-5-yl Carbamoyl] Indoline] and Chlordiazepoxide Produced Differential Effects on Electroencephalogram Power Spectra

“…The reduced SWA after benzodiazepines (Borbely and Achermann, 1991;Tobler et al, 2001) reflects a more superficial sleep that can result an impaired daytime performance on the following day (Kunsman et al, 1992;Roth, 2001;van Laar et al, 2001;Buffett-Jerrott and Stewart, 2002). In contrast, the 5-HT 2 antagonists like ritanserin do not affect psychomotor performance and memory function (Danjou et al, 1992), whereas they induce a deeper or more intense sleep (Dijk et al, 1989;Borbely, 1995;Detari et al, 1999;Kantor et al, 2002) without affecting daytime performance or alertness on the following day (van Laar et al, 2001).…”

“…Although the anxiolytic properties of these drugs are well established both clinically and experimentally (Argyropoulos and Nutt, 1999;File and Seth, 2003), the side effects like impaired short-term memory, vigilance, or psychomotor performance limit their clinical applicability (Kunsman et al, 1992;van Laar et al, 2001;Buffett-Jerrott and Stewart, 2002). On the other hand, these effects are often subtle when low doses are involved (Kunsman et al, 1992), and tolerance develops to the sedative and psychomotor effects with their continued use as anxiolytics (Lucki et al, 1986).Pharmacological characterization of the effects of the …”