Impaired Psychomotor Performance Research Articles

Chronic partial sleep loss increases the facilitatory role of a masked prime in a word recognition task

Neurobehavioural performance deficits associated with sleep loss have been extensively studied, in particular, the effects on psychomotor performance. However, there is no consensus as to which, if any, cognitive functions are impaired by sleep loss. To examine how sleep loss might affect cognition, the automatic processes supporting word recognition were examined using the masked priming paradigm in participants who had been exposed to two consecutive days of sleep restriction. Twelve healthy volunteers (mean age 24.5 years) were recruited. Nocturnal sleep duration was restricted to 60% of each participant's habitual sleep duration for two consecutive nights by delaying scheduled time of sleep onset and advancing time of awakening. In controlled laboratory conditions, participants completed the Psychomotor Vigilance Task and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale and a masked priming word recognition task. As expected, significant increases in subjective sleepiness and impaired psychomotor performance were observed after sleep loss. In contrast, response times and error rate on the masked priming task were not significantly affected. However, the magnitude of the masked priming effect, which can be taken as an index of automaticity of lexical processing, increased following sleep loss. These findings suggest that while no evidence of impairment to lexical access was observed after sleep loss, an increase in automatic processing may occur as a consequence of compensatory mechanisms.

Oxazepam does not modulate the behavioral effects of d-amphetamine in humans

Benzodiazepines, which are γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA A) receptor positive modulators, can block the behavioral effects of psychomotor stimulants. In the present study, the ability of oxazepam, which may have less abuse potential compared to some other benzodiazepines, to attenuate the discriminative-stimulus, subject-rated and psychomotor performance effects of d-amphetamine in humans was determined. Six healthy participants (2 female, 4 male) learned to discriminate 15 mg oral d-amphetamine. After acquiring the discrimination (i.e., ≥ 80% correct responding on 4 consecutive days), the effects of d-amphetamine (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 15 mg), alone and in combination with acutely administered oxazepam (0 and 20 mg) were assessed. d-Amphetamine alone functioned as a discriminative stimulus, produced stimulant-like subject-rated effects (e.g., increased ratings of Stimulated on a Drug–Effect Questionnaire) and enhanced psychomotor performance. Oxazepam alone increased subject ratings of sedation (e.g., increased ratings of Sluggish, Fatigued and Lazy on a Drug–Effect Questionnaire) and impaired psychomotor performance. Oxazepam alone did not occasion d-amphetamine-like discriminative-stimulus effects, and had no effect on the discriminative-stimulus or subject-rated effects of d-amphetamine when given in combination. The results of this experiment are discordant with previous research and suggest that benzodiazepines differ in their ability to modulate the behavioral effects of d-amphetamine.

Profiling the subjective, psychomotor, and physiological effects of tramadol in recreational drug users

Tramadol is a mu opioid agonist that also inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. Because non-medical use of prescription opioids, including tramadol, has increased in the U.S. over the last several years, we sought to profile its subjective, psychomotor, and physiological effects in recreational drug users. Twenty-two subjects received placebo, 50 or 100 mg tramadol, morphine, or 2 mg lorazepam in a randomized, crossover, double-blind design. The last 12 subjects in the study received 25 mg morphine, a dose that is putatively equianalgesic to 100 mg tramadol. In these subjects, morphine induced miosis and several other mu agonist subjective effects; 100 mg tramadol increased “feel drug effect” and drug liking ratings, and decreased pupil size, but the miotic effect was not statistically significant. Lorazepam, but neither tramadol nor morphine, impaired psychomotor performance. When the placebo, tramadol, and lorazepam data from all 22 subjects were analyzed, 100 mg tramadol induced miosis, and several subjective effects were increased significantly, including ratings of drug liking and “want to take again.” The present results indicating that a clinically-prescribed dose of oral tramadol has abuse liability-related effects in recreational drug users suggest the need for further abuse liability testing of the oral formulation in opioid abusers.

Reinforcing effects of oral Δ9-THC in male marijuana smokers in a laboratory choice procedure

Oral Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC; Marinol) is medically available for the treatment of nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy and for wasting syndromes related to HIV/AIDS. Little is known about its reinforcing effects. This study was conducted to characterize the reinforcing effects of oral Delta(9)-THC in experienced marijuana smokers under controlled laboratory conditions. Ten healthy male marijuana users completed this 17-day residential study. On days 2, 6, 10, and 14, at 0900 h, participants received a "sample" oral dose of Delta(9)-THC (0, 10, 20 mg) and an alternative reinforcer, a 2 US dollars voucher (redeemable for cash at study's end). Over the next 3 days, they had 11 opportunities to self-administer either the sampled dose of Delta(9)-THC or to receive a 2 US dollars voucher. Participants chose active Delta(9)-THC (10 and 20 mg) more often than placebo (<two selections vs approximately four selections, respectively). However, they chose active Delta(9)-THC on less than 50% of choice opportunities. Both active Delta(9)-THC doses produced significant increases in "positive" subjective effects, impaired psychomotor performance, and increased heart rate, relative to the placebo conditions. These data indicate that oral Delta(9)-THC may have modest abuse liability in experienced marijuana smokers.

Safety, pharmacokinetics (&lt;&gt;Pk) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of ascending single oral doses of sustained-release desvenlafaxine succinate (DVS-SR) in healthy subjects

Background/Aims To assess the safety, tolerability, PK and PD of ascending single oral doses of DVS-SR in healthy subjects. Methods This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, ascending single dose study in 79 healthy male subjects. Doses of 150, 225, 300, 450, 600, 750, and 900mg of DVS-SR were administered after a medium-fat breakfast to cohorts of 10 subjects (6 DVS-SR, 2 placebo and 2 venlafaxine ER 150mg[VEN-ER]). An additional cohort was dosed at 750mg in a fasting state. Assessments consisted of adverse events (AEs), vital signs, EEGs, lab tests, plasma desvenlafaxine (DV) PK profile, psychomotor performance and memory, and ECGs. Results Nausea was less severe with DVS-SR up to 750mg than with VEN-ER. Vomiting occurred in 2 of 5 subjects dosed at 750mg (maximum tolerated dose) and 4 of 6 subjects at 900mg. No AEs or clinically relevant changes occurred in blood pressure, pulse, ECG intervals (particularly QTc), and routine lab tests. DVS-SR did not impair psychomotor performance and memory but increased EEG beta power. Mean Tmax was 6–8 h and t1/2 was 9–11 h for DV after oral dosing. Cmax and AUC was linear over the range of 150–900mg. DVS-SR taken with a medium-fat breakfast produced slightly higher Cmax and AUC for DV but food did not alter its slow-release profile. Conclusion DVS-SR was safe and tolerated up to a single dose of 750mg. The PK profile supports once-daily dosing. The slow-release characteristics of DVS-SR are not altered by administration with food. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P44–P44; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.063

Safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of ascending single doses of desvenlafaxine (DVS-233 SR) in healthy subjects

Background To assess the safety, tolerability, PK and PD of ascending single oral doses of DVS-SR in healthy subjects. Methods This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, ascending sequential single dose study in 79 healthy male subjects. Doses of 150, 225, 300, 450, 600, 750, and 900 mg were administered after a medium-fat breakfast to cohorts of 10 subjects (6 DVS-SR, 2 placebo and 2 Venlafaxine ER 150 mg[V]). An additional cohort was dosed at 750 mg in a fasted state to assess preliminary food effect. Assessments consist of adverse events reporting, vital signs, ECG and routine laboratory tests, plasma PK desvenlafaxine (DV) profile and PD (psychomotor performance and memory). Results DVS-SR up to 750 mg produced less severe nausea than V. Vomiting occurred in 2 of 6 subjects at 750 mg (maximum tolerated dose) and 4 of 6 subjects at 900 mg. No clinically relevant changes occurred in blood pressure, pulse, ECG intervals (particularly QTc), and routine lab tests. DVS-SR did not impair psychomotor performance and memory. Mean Tmax was 6–8 h and half-life was 9–11 h. for DV after oral dosing. Cmax and AUC increased approximately linearly over the range of 150 to 900 mg. DVS-SR taken with a medium-fat breakfast produced slightly higher DV Cmax and AUC, but food did not alter its slow release profile. Conclusions DVS-SR was safe up to a single dose of 750 mg. The PK profile supports once daily dosing. The slow release characteristics of DVS-SR are not altered by administration with food. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P28–P28; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.11.107

Profiling the subjective, psychomotor, and physiological effects of a hydrocodone/acetaminophen product in recreational drug users

Background: Hydrocodone (HYD) is a mu opioid agonist. Hydrocodone/acetaminophen HYD/ACET compounds are both widely prescribed and abused prescription painkillers in the United States. In the present study, we profiled the subjective, psychomotor, and physiological effects of the compound. It was of particular interest to determine if HYD/ACET had abuse liability-related subjective effects in a population of recreational drug users. Methods: Eighteen volunteers participated in a crossover, randomized, double-blind study in which they received, all p.o., placebo; 5 mg HYD/500 mg ACET; 10 mg HYD/500 mg ACET; 20 mg HYD/1000 mg ACET; 40 mg morphine (MOR) sulfate; and 1000 mg ACET. Measures were assessed before and for 300 min after drug administration. Results: HYD/ACET produced effects that were dose-related, and the highest dose produced a similar magnitude of effect to that of MOR. There were some abuse liability-related subjective effects produced by 20 mg HYD/ACET and MOR, but there were also unpleasant effects. Some unpleasant subjective effects were experienced only by females. Overall liking and “take again” ratings assessed 24 h post-session were not significant, but several subjects had elevated liking and “take again” ratings at this time in one or more of the HYD/ACET conditions and/or in the MOR condition. Both 20 mg HYD/1000 mg ACET and MOR impaired psychomotor performance. HYD/ACET and MOR produced miosis. Conclusions: HYD/ACET produced some abuse liability-related subjective effects in recreational drug users, which is consistent with the widespread non-medical use and abuse of this product.

Perioperative effects of melatonin and midazolam premedication on sedation, orientation, anxiety scores and psychomotor performance

Background and objective: To compare the perioperative effects of melatonin and midazolam given in premedication, on sedation, orientation, anxiety scores and psychomotor performance. Methods: Exogenous administration of melatonin not only facilitates the onset of sleep but also improves its quality. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed in 66 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were given melatonin 5 mg, midazolam 15 mg or placebo, 90 min before anaesthesia, sublingually. Sedation, orientation and anxiety were quantified before; 10, 30, 60 and 90 min after premedication; and 15, 30, 60 and 90 min after admission to the recovery room. Neurocognitive performance was evaluated at these times, using the Trail Making A and B and Word Fluency tests. The differences between the groups were analysed by ANOVA. Two-way comparisons were performed by Scheffé analysis. Sedation and amnesia were analysed by the χ2 test. Results: Patients who received premedication with either melatonin or midazolam had a significant increase in sedation and decrease in anxiety before operation compared with controls. After operation, there was no difference in sedation scores of all groups. Whereas, 30, 60 and 90 min after premedication the melatonin and midazolam groups exhibited a significantly poorer performance in Trail Making A and B tests compared with placebo, there were no significant differences among the groups in terms of neuropsychological performance after the operation. Amnesia was notable only in the midazolam group for one preoperative event. Conclusion: Melatonin premedication was associated with preoperative anxiolysis and sedation without postoperative impairment of psychomotor performance.

Adverse effects of modest sleep restriction on sleepiness, performance, and inflammatory cytokines.

Total sleep restriction in humans is associated with increased daytime sleepiness, decreased performance, and hormonal/metabolic disturbances. The effects of mild chronic sleep restriction that mimic real life are not known. To assess the effects of modest sleep restriction from 8 to 6 h/night for 1 wk, 25 young, healthy, normal sleepers (12 men and 13 women) were studied for 12 consecutive nights in the sleep laboratory. After 1 wk of sleep restriction, although subjects' nighttime sleep was deeper, subjects were significantly sleepier (multiple sleep latency test) and performed worse in four primary variables of psychomotor vigilance test (both P < 0.01). Furthermore, 24-h secretion of IL-6 was increased by 0.8 +/- 0.3 pg/ml (P < 0.05) in both sexes, whereas TNFalpha was increased only in men. Also, the peak cortisol secretion was lower after sleep restriction than at baseline, and this difference was stronger in men (55.18 +/- 24.83 nmol/liter; P < 0.05) than in women (35.87 +/- 24.83 nmol/liter; P < 0.16). We conclude that in young men and women, modest sleep loss is associated with significant sleepiness, impairment of psychomotor performance, and increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Given the potential association of these behavioral and physical alterations with health, well-being, and public safety, the idea that sleep or parts of it are optional should be regarded with caution.

The Effect of Repeated Isoflurane Anesthesia on Spatial and Psychomotor Performance in Young and Aged Mice

Exposure to general anesthesia may contribute to postoperative cognitive impairment in elderly patients, but the relationship remains poorly understood. We investigated whether aged mice, 18-19 mo, are more susceptible to postanesthetic cognitive impairment than young mice, 3-4 mo, using spatial memory (Barnes maze) and psychomotor (rotarod) tasks. Initially we studied the effect of a single anesthetic episode on asymptotic maze performance. We then tested whether repeated anesthesia would impair spatial memory and psychomotor performance to a greater extent in aged mice. Mice were anesthetized with isoflurane (1.4% atm) for 30 min; controls received 90% oxygen. Anesthesia, administered during the asymptotic period of maze learning, did not impair performance tested the following day (P > 0.05). Repeated anesthesia, 2-3 h after each session, did not impair overall maze or rotarod performance in young or aged mice (P > 0.05). Spatial learning appeared to be facilitated by anesthesia, F(1,204) = 7.97, P < 0.01 for pooled results. Asymptotic performance-when learning had stabilized-remained unimpaired in both the maze and rotarod tasks. These results suggest that an age-related risk of anesthetic-induced impairment appears to be limited to acquisition of a novel motor skill and that anesthesia alone does not lead to prolonged cognitive impairments in aged mice. This study demonstrates that repeated isoflurane general anesthesia impaired psychomotor performance in aged mice during the initial learning period; however, spatial learning improved and, overall, spatial memory and psychomotor performance were unimpaired. Thus, general anesthesia alone does not appear to result in prolonged cognitive deficits in aged mice.

Insomnia: Epidemiology, characteristics, and consequences

Insomnia is a symptom of difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep or experiencing nonrefreshing sleep and is associated with daytime consequences. Although insomnia is typically secondary to a medical, psychiatric, circadian, or sleep disorder, it can also be a primary disorder. Primary insomnia is estimated to occur in 25% of all chronic insomnia patients. It is hypothesized to be a disorder of hyperarousal, which has been supported by research on the autonomic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function. Chronic insomnia is prevalent in 10% of the adult population. Age, sex, medical and psychiatric disease, and shift work all represent an increased risk of chronic insomnia. The morbidity of insomnia varies as a function of etiology. While transient insomnia produces sleepiness and impairment in psychomotor performance, chronic insomnia is associated with absenteeism, frequent accidents, memory impairment, and greater health care utilization. The most consistent impact of insomnia is a high risk of depression.

Psychomotor and Anxiolytic Effects????????? of Mexazolam in Patients with Generalised Anxiety Disorder

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the psychomotor effects of mexazolam versus placebo in patients with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). This was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial in 60 outpatients with GAD (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-4(th) edition [DSM-IV] criteria). After a placebo run-in period, patients were assigned to mexazolam 1mg three times daily (n = 32) or placebo (n = 28) for 21 days. Effects on psychomotor performance were evaluated with the Leeds Psychomotor Test Battery (critical flicker fusion threshold, recognition, motor and total reaction time). The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were used to evaluate the patients' clinical status (secondary objective). At neither assessment were any statistically significant differences detected between mexazolam and placebo for CGI, critical flicker fusion, and the different reaction times. The HAM-A total and the HAM-A somatic scores indicated a statistically significant therapeutic effect for mexazolam vs placebo after 1 week of treatment but not after 3 weeks. The most prominent adverse event with mexazolam was mild drowsiness. Mexazolam in a therapeutically effective dosage regimen does not impair psychomotor performance to a clinically relevant extent.

A New Computerized Test Battery to Evaluate Drug Effects on Psychomotor Performance. Lorazepam-induced Impaired Performance in Healthy Volunteers.

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the sensitivity of a new computerized test battery which we developed for the detection of drug-induced impaired psychomotor performance.Methods: Twelve healthy male volunteers participated in this study. Lorazepam (0.5 or 1.0 mg oral), an antianxiety drug, or placebo was administered in a double-blind fashion with a Latin square design, with an interval of more than one week. The psychomotor performance tests were done before, and at 1 and 3 hours after drug administration. The test battery consisted of four different tasks ; a simple number copying test (SNCT), a continuous number addition test (CNAT), a number comparison test (NCT) and two types of reaction time tests (RTT). In SNCT, CNAT and NCT, percent changes in the number of keyed-in figures and the number of correctly keyed-in figures were automatically measured, and in RTT, the latency to respond was automatically recorded. To measurelorazepam-induced subjective sedative actions, visual analogue scales (VAS) were used.Results: The performance was impaired in SNCT and CNAT 1 hour after administration of 1.0 mg lorazepam, and in NCT 1 hour after administration of 0.5 and 1.0 mg lorazepam. There was no significant difference between lorazepam and placebo in RTT. The impaired psychomotor performance was observed irrespective of the absence of lorazepam-induced subjective sedative effects.Conclusion: The lorazepam-induced impaired psychomotor performance was objectively and sensitively detected in healthy volunteers by a new computerized test battery which we developed. This new objective method can be applied to sensitively detect minimal sedative effects of drugs in a situation similar to daily life.

Less Driving Impairment on Buprenorphine than Methadone in Drug-Dependent Patients?

Less Driving Impairment on Buprenorphine than Methadone in Drug-Dependent Patients?

Effects of ceronapril alone or in combination with alcohol on psychomotor performance in healthy volunteers: a placebo-controlled, crossover study

Background: Behavioral evidence from animal studies has suggested that ceronapril and other angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have some anxiolytic activity. Objectives: The objectives of this trial were to assess the effects of ceronapril, a centrally acting ACE inhibitor, on psychomotor performance in healthy volunteers; to compare its effects with those of lorazepam, a known anxiolytic agent; and to determine whether ceronapril interacts pharmacodynamically with alcohol. Methods: Twelve healthy male volunteers received ceronapril (80 mg), lorazepam (2 mg), or corresponding placebo twice daily for 7 days in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Psychomotor tests were performed on days 1 and 7 of each treatment period. On the testing days, the subjects ingested alcohol (1 g/kg) over a 30-minute period, 2 hours after drug administration. Psychomotor tests (simulated driving task, critical flicker fusion, body sway, lateral-gaze nystagmus, Maddox wing test, Mini—Mental State Examination, and subjective assessments) were performed before the administration of the morning dose and 1 hour, 3 hours (40 minutes post-alcohol), and 4 hours (100 minutes post-alcohol) after drug administration. Results: On day 1, ceronapril did not impair psychomotor performance, and its effects were comparable to those of placebo before and after alcohol ingestion. Lorazepam impaired most of the psychomotor functions, and its effects were enhanced by alcohol. On day 7, ceronapril decreased systolic blood pressure, but otherwise its effects were similar to those of placebo. Due to development of tolerance, lorazepam had few psychomotor effects after the subchronic administration. Conclusions: Ceronapril was found to have no anxiolytic effects or effects on psychomotor performance in this sample of healthy volunteers.

Effects of ethanol at four phases of the menstrual cycle.

Ovarian hormones, such as estrogen (E) and progesterone (P), interact with neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, which are thought to be important in mediating the effects of ethanol. Therefore, it is possible that circulating ovarian hormones influence the acute subjective, behavioral, and physiological effects of ethanol, thus indirectly influencing ethanol consumption. To examine the relationship between hormone levels and consumption of ethanol, this study investigated whether the effects of ethanol and the consumption of ethanol vary as a function of menstrual cycle phase. Sixteen healthy women with normal menstrual cycles ingested ethanol at four hormonally distinct phases of the menstrual cycle, namely early follicular, late follicular, mid-luteal, and late-luteal. During each session, they first sampled three small doses of ethanol (0.2 g/kg each) at half-hourly intervals. They completed subjective and behavioral tests before the first dose and after each subsequent dose. After consuming the third beverage, the women were allowed to choose up to three additional doses of ethanol (0.2 g/kg), one every 30 min. Ethanol produced subjective effects typical for this drug (such as stimulant-like effects and euphoria), and it impaired eye movements and psychomotor performance. However, the effects of ethanol did not vary according to menstrual cycle phase, and consumption of ethanol also did not vary across the menstrual cycle. These results suggest that circulating ovarian hormones, like E and P, have little effect on either the acute subjective and behavioral effects of ethanol, or on ethanol consumption.

Effects of naloxone on nitrous oxide actions in healthy volunteers

A number of studies have examined the effects of naloxone on nitrous oxide-induced analgesia with conflicting results. In the present study the effects of a relatively high dose of naloxone was examined to determine its effects on nitrous oxide-induced analgesia, as well as on the subjective and psychomotor effects of nitrous oxide. Fourteen subjects participated in a four-session crossover trial in which they received intravenous injections of either saline or 30mg/70kg naloxone 10min into a 35min period in which they were inhaling either 100% oxygen or 30% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Ten minutes after the naloxone administration, subjects were tested on the cold pressor test. Mood and psychomotor performance were also assessed before, during and after the inhalation period. Subjects reported higher pain ratings after the naloxone injection than the saline injection, but there was no evidence of naloxone reversing the analgesic effects of nitrous oxide. Similarly while naloxone also affected mood and impaired psychomotor performance, there was no evidence of naloxone reversing the effect of nitrous oxide on these measures. The results of this study call into question the role of the opioidergic system in mediating various effects of nitrous oxide in humans.

Loratadine: a non-sedating antihistamine. Review of its effects on cognition, psychomotor performance, mood and sedation.

Although equally potent at blocking the H1 receptor, first- and second-generation antihistamines can be distinguished with respect to their different effects on the central nervous system (CNS). First-generation antihistamines readily cross the blood-brain barrier leading to significant drowsiness, altered mood, reduced wakefulness, and impaired cognitive and psychomotor performance. This paper reviews of studies CNS functioning conducted with loratadine, a second-generation H1-receptor antagonist, at its therapeutic dose of 10 mg per day. Studies employing self-report measures, such as diary cards, visual analogue scales, rating scales, and mood inventories have shown that the effect of loratadine on somnolence, fatigue, and mood was comparable to those found with placebo. In studies exploring physiological indices of CNS functioning, such as EEG-evoked potentials, and sleep latency tests, loratadine has been shown to be free of CNS effects. In addition, studies have investigated the effects of loratadine on actual driving performance, and on tests of cognitive and psychomotor functioning. On all of these performance measures, loratadine has been shown to have effects comparable to placebo. In contrast, diphenhydramine, a common first-generation antihistamine, usually available without a doctor's prescription, has significant adverse effects on vigilance, divided attention, working memory and psychomotor performance. Impairment has been shown to occur even in the absence of self-reported sleepiness.

Effects of Meal Composition on Blood Alcohol Level, Psychomotor Performance and Subjective State after Ingestion of Alcohol

Moderating effects of meal composition on psychomotor performance impairment and feelings after alcohol were examined in a between-subjects design. Fifty-one male volunteers fasted or received either a high carbohydrate (85% energy) or a high protein (94% energy) meal. Alcohol was administered at a dose to achieve a blood alcohol level (BAL) of 60 mg/100 ml, as a placebo. Subjects performed a dual task of primary tracking and secondary reaction time and a five-choice reaction time task. Feelings were also assessed by rating. The high carbohydrate meal reduced BAL at peak and 2 h after drinking, but a high protein meal had no significant effect. Although performance was impaired by alcohol, neither meal significantly reduced impairment and there was no effect of meal type on performance in the placebo condition. However, alcohol increased rated intoxication and the high carbohydrate meal reduced this effect. Subjects who had consumed high protein meals had more negative affect 2 h after alcohol than did subjects who had consumed high carbohydrate meals or fasted. It is concluded that there is only a weak relationship between BAL and performance impairment and food has only limited effects on impairment, although it reduces BAL.

Reboxetine, a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, is non-sedative and does not impair psychomotor performance in healthy subjects

Reboxetine, a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, is non-sedative and does not impair psychomotor performance in healthy subjects