24 normal, healthy subjects were assigned randomly to 15 mg clorazepate dipotassium or placebo groups in a double-blind study. Their performance on a psychological test battery was assessed 45 min. later. Clorazepate dipotassium produced statistically significant impairment in attention and simple reaction time compared with placebo. Performance on more complex tests of cognitive functioning showed no drug effects.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AckerW.A computerized approach to psychological screening—The Bexley. Maudsley Automated Psychological Screening and the Bexley-Maudsley Category Sorting Test. International Journal of Machine Studies, 1983, 18, 361–369.
JohnsonL. C., & ChernikD. A.Sedative-hypnotics and human performance. Psychopharmacology, 1982, 76, 101–113.
4.
KornetskyC.VatesT. S., & KesslerE. K.A comparison of hypnotic and residual psychological effects of single doses of chlorpromazine and secobarbital in man. Journal of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, 1959, 127, 51–54.
5.
ReitanR. M.Validity of the Trail Making Test as an indicator of organic brain damage. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1958, 8, 271–276.
6.
WechslerD.Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales: a manual. New York: Psychological Corp., 1955.
7.
WittenbornJ. R.Effects of benzodiazepines on psychomotor performance. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 1979, 7, 615–678.
