Effects of caffeine on alertness as measured by infrared reflectance oculography.
BACKGROUND
Caffeine is a well-known stimulant that can be used to increase alertness and performance especially in low arousal situations such as monotonous highway driving or after sleep deprivation. The effects of caffeine in rested, alert, participants are less clear, and this may be attributable to difficulties in objectively assessing small changes in alertness.


OBJECTIVE
The present study examined the effects of caffeine in non-sleep-deprived participants with methods that have previously been shown to be sensitive to changes in alertness. In order to avoid confounding results, low, or non-users of caffeine, were sought as participants.


METHODS
Twelve subjects participated in a within-subjects double-blind placebo-controlled design study and were administered either a capsule containing 200 mg of caffeine or placebo on two separate days. Ten-minute long tests of vigilance were performed at baseline and then at 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min after swallowing the capsule. During vigilance tests, eye blink variables were measured using infrared reflectance oculography and converted into a drowsiness score, Johns Drowsiness Scale (JDS).


RESULTS
Caffeine significantly reduced JDS scores (drowsiness) and reaction times, and these changes persisted for 3 to 4 h. Self reports of sleepiness were not as sensitive, with Karolinska Sleepiness Scale scores only being significantly lower in the caffeine compared to placebo condition at 30 min post capsule administration.


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrated that despite being well rested, administration of caffeine significantly increased alertness and enhanced performance, and these changes were able to be detected with the JDS.
Sensory Neuroscience Laboratory, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, P.O. Box 218, Hawthorn Victoria 3122, Melbourne, Australia. nmichael@swin.edu.au
Natalie
N
Michael
Murray
M
Johns
Caroline
C
Owen
John
J
Patterson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001767:Blinking / Q000187:drug effects; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004585:Electrooculography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D002110:Caffeine