[Neuromodulatory effects of caffeine and bromazepam on visual event-related potential (P300): a comparative study].
The P300 component of the event-related potential (ERP) is a general measurement of "cognitive efficiency". It is an index of the ability of an individual's central nervous system (CNS) to process incoming information.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the neuromodulatory effects of caffeine and bromazepam on the visual ERP (P300), in relation to a P300 normative database.


METHODS
15 right-handed individuals (7 male and 8 female), between 20 and 30 years of age, healthy, free of any cognitive impairment and not making use of psychoactive substances were studied. Participants were submitted to a visual discrimination task, which employed the "oddball" paradigm, after the administration of caffeine and bromazepam, in a randomized, double-blind design.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were observed when the caffeine and bromazepam conditions were compared to the normative database.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results suggest that caffeine and bromazepam have distinct modulatory effects on CNS functioning.
Montenegro
Mariana
M
Laboratório de Mapeamento Cerebral e Integração Sensório-Motora, Instituto de Psiquiatria, IPUB, Brazil. marianamoliveira@yahoo.com
Veiga
Heloisa
H
Deslandes
Andréa
A
Cagy
Maurício
M
McDowell
Kaleb
K
Pompeu
Fernando
F
Piedade
Roberto
R
Ribeiro
Pedro
P
D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001960:Bromazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300 / Q000187:drug effects*; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D002110:Caffeine; D001960:Bromazepam