Neuromodulatory effect of bromazepam on motor learning: an electroencephalographic approach.
To investigate the effects of bromazepam on motor performance and electroencephalographic activity (qEEG) in healthy subjects, during the process of learning a typewriting task, with a focused attention demand. A randomized double-blind model was used to allocate subjects in one of the following conditions: placebo (n=13), bromazepam 3 mg (n=13) or bromazepam 6 mg (n=13). Forty minutes after treatment administration, subjects were submitted to the motor task. EEG activity was recorded simultaneously. The analyzed variables were: number of errors and execution time, which were extracted from each block of the typewriting task, and mean relative power values in the beta band (13-35 Hz), extracted from the qEEG. A significantly lower number of typing errors was observed in both bromazepam conditions (Br 3 mg and Br 6 mg) when compared to the placebo. There was no difference between the two bromazepam conditions. For the execution time variable, a better performance was observed in the Br 3 mg condition, but with no statistical significance. The highest degree of cortical activation during the task was observed in Br 3 mg and Br 6 mg when compared to placebo. The medication's anxiolytic effect intensifies the attentional focus over predictable events occurring in reduced perceptual fields. The qEEG's accentuated response in pre-motor and primary motor areas suggests a greater effort directed to the most relevant aspects of the task. In short, the doses employed (3 and 6 mg) seem to enhance the learning of motor tasks that involve focused attention, such as typewriting.
Cunha
Marlo
M
Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Brazil. marlo.marques@bol.com.br
Machado
Dionis
D
Bastos
Victor H
VH
Ferreira
Camila
C
Cagy
Maurício
M
Basile
Luis
L
Piedade
Roberto
R
Ribeiro
Pedro
P
D000328:Adult; D001611:Beta Rhythm; D001960:Bromazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques
D018757:GABA Modulators; D001960:Bromazepam