Psychopharmacologic investigations in elderly volunteers: Effect of diazepam in males.
Forty male volunteers over the age of 60 took either a daily dose of diazepam (12 mg) or placebo for a two-week period. Differential responses to these compounds partially depended upon age and the initial symptom level. Diazepam produced sedative side effects, a modest antidepressant effect, and a reduction in memory. Placebo had an antianxiety effect in the relatively older subjects, and was associated with decreased fatique, improved memory and improved motor function. Considerable variability was observed in both drug and placebo responses among the elderly. A self-rating depression scale (D30R) was useful for assessing changes in affective states and in discriminating between the effects of active drug and placebo.
D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D010551:Personality / Q000187:drug effects; D010919:Placebos
D010919:Placebos; D003975:Diazepam