The interactive effects of alcohol and temazepam on P300 and reaction time.
The present research investigated the separate and interactive effects of the minor tranquilizer, temazepam, and a low dose of alcohol on the amplitude and latency of P300 and on reaction time. Twenty-four participants completed four drug treatments in a repeated measures design. The four drug treatments, organised as a fully repeated 2 x 2 design, included a placebo condition, an alcohol only condition, a temazepam only condition, and an alcohol and temazepam combined condition. Event-related potentials were recorded from midline sites Fz, Cz, and Pz within an oddball paradigm. The results indicated that temazepam, with or without the presence of alcohol, reduced P300 amplitude. Alcohol, on the other hand, with or without the presence of temazepam, affected processing speed and stimulus evaluation as indexed by reaction time and P300 latency. At the low dose levels used in this experiment alcohol and temazepam appear not to interact, which suggests that they affect different aspects of processing in the central nervous system.
School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. F.Martin@utas.edu.au
Frances Heritage
FH
Martin
David A T
DA
Siddle
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004569:Electroencephalography; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300 / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects*; D013693:Temazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol; D013693:Temazepam