The effects of chronic lithium treatment on psychomotor performance related to driving.
A group of 16 psychiatric out-patients in remission, who had been taking lithium carbonate as their sole medication for at least three months, were compared with a control group of 22 healthy volunteers. On a computerised driving simulator which produced measures of reaction time, tracking ability and mistakes made, the patient group had a significantly slower reaction time. Patients should be warned therefore that lithium may affect their ability to drive or operate machinery and that psychomotor impairment and sedation are not synonymous.
Hatcher
S
S
Department of Psychiatry, University of Leeds.
Sims
R
R
Thompson
D
D
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001334:Automobile Driving; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*
D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium