title: Amnesic and anxiolytic effects of intravenous diazepam in dental anxiety.
abstract: The effects of intravenous administration of diazepam (average 20 mg) on learning, performance and mood were assessed in dental patients. These patients required sedation due to excessive anxiety in a dental situation, or because they were to undergo stressful surgery. On a verbal learning task, subjects recalled and recognized significantly fewer words from a list presented after drug administration than from a list presented prior to drug administration, when tested at the end of the treatment period. When tested after treatment, subjects recognised few of a series of picture postcards that had been presented to them during the course of treatment. Subjects showed no significant impairments after diazepam treatment on digit-symbol substitution, symbol copying or number cancellation tasks compared to pre-treatment scores; however, there was a small but significant reduction in the number of finger-taps made. Mood-rating scales showed significant increases in sedation and well-being after diazepam treatment compared to pre-treatment scores, and also a significant reduction in anxiety levels. This study shows that the amnesic effects of diazepam are present in a "real-life" stress situation.
mesh_terms: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003975:Diazepam