title: The placebo effect on psychomotor performance and working memory capacity: randomized single blind cross-over trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Imaging studies show that placebo enhance release of dopamine in the mesolimbic and mesocortical tracts. Dopamine in these areas are involved in attention and working memory function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We wanted to investigating the effect of placebo on psychomotor function and working memory capacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  31 medical students participated in this single blind, crossover trial. Choice reaction time, critical flicker fusion threshold, n-back working memory tasks measured before and after one hour of the students receiving placebo in three different occasions as stimulant, unknown, and inert substance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Placebo, as stimulant, significantly enhanced choice reaction time and working memory function (P < 0.05) while showed no significant effect on critical flicker fusion threshold (P > 0.05). Placebo as unknown significantly deteriorates working memory capacity (P < 0.05). Placebo as inert substance shows no significant changes regarding choice reaction time, critical flicker fusion threshold, and working memory task.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Placebo, as stimulant enhanced attention and improved working memory capacity, while as unknown may deteriorate working memory function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriya University, PO Box 14132, Baghdad, IRAQ.
authors.forename: Ammar W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Ashor
keywords: Choice reaction time; Critical flicker fusion threshold; N-Back memory task; Placebo