title: Use of computerized psychomotor testing in determining CNS effects of drugs.
abstract: Two interactive, computer-controlled tests--critical flicker fusion and discriminant reaction time tasks--are described. These tasks, and subjective sedation ratings using visual analogue scales, were shown to be sensitive in a dose-related fashion to the effects of CNS depressants (diazepam, 15 mg and lorazepam, 1 and 2 mg). Such brief, interactive, computerized tasks should be useful in screening new agents for CNS activity in humans.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D003201:Computers; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005425:Flicker Fusion / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D008140:Lorazepam; D003975:Diazepam; D003913:Dextroamphetamine