Two interactive, computer-controlled tests—critical flicker fusion and discriminant reaction time tasks—are described. These casks, and subjective sedation ratings using visual analogue scales, were shown to be sensitive in a dose-related fashion to the effects of CNS depressants (diazepam, 15 mg and lorazepam, 1 and 2 mg). Such brief, interactive, computerized tasks should be useful in screening new agents for CNS activity in humans.
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