TY - JOUR PY - 2000// TI - Effects of single doses of etizolam and lorazepam on psychomotor performance in healthy volunteers JO - Proceedings International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety Conference A1 - Giorgetti, R. A1 - Zancaner, S. A1 - Tambuscio, S. A1 - Ferrara, S.d. SP - EP - p. VL - 2000 IS - N2 - Objective: This study investigated the possible effects of Etizolam on human psychomotor performance. Methods: Sixteen young healthy volunteers, eight male and eight female, were recruited as subjects. Drugs (Lorazepam 2 mg, Etizolam 0.25, Etizolam 1 mg) and placebo were administered according to a single-dose, double-blind, balanced, four-way, crossover design. Subjects' psychomotor performance was assessed at baseline and at 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after treatment. Psychomotor performance was measured using the following tests: Critical Flicker Fusion, Visual Vigilance Task, Choice Reaction Time, Critical Tracking Task, Response Competition Test. Results: Etizolam at both doses had no effect on vigilance, short term memory, psychomotor coordination or speed of decision making. Nevertheless, at the dose of 1 mg, it did play a significant role in impairing arousal. Lorazepam caused significant impairment of all psychomotor functions tested in the experiment. Conclusion: After single therapeutic doses, Etizolam does not induce important changes in psychomotor performance and therefore the drug does not influence the ability to drive or work.
LA - SN - UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -