Acute effects of bromazepam on signal detection performance, digit symbol substitution test and smooth pursuit eye movements

Neuropsychobiology. 1988;20(2):91-5. doi: 10.1159/000118481.

Abstract

Effects of 6 and 12 mg bromazepam on reaction time, stimulus sensitivity and response bias in a 1-hour visual attention task, on smooth pursuit eye movements, and on performance in the digit symbol substitution test (DSST) were investigated in 12 healthy male volunteers. It was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study that used repeated measures. Three saliva samples and a blood sample were taken for correlating drug concentration and performance. Bromazepam lowered stimulus sensitivity dose-dependently. Response times for hits and response bias were affected by the 12-mg dose only. DSST performance decreased dose-dependently. Smooth pursuit was equally impaired by 6 and 12 mg. Concentrations in serum correlated with concentrations in saliva, but serum and saliva concentrations did not correlate with task performance.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / pharmacology*
  • Attention / drug effects*
  • Bromazepam / pharmacokinetics
  • Bromazepam / pharmacology*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Eye Movements / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Problem Solving / drug effects
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects*
  • Pursuit, Smooth / drug effects*
  • Reaction Time / drug effects*
  • Saliva / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Bromazepam