Lorazepam and scopolamine: A single-dose comparison of effects on human memory and attentional processes

Miriam Z. Mintzer, Roland R. Griffiths

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

This placebo-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy, independent groups study directly compared effects of the benzodiazepine, lorazepam (2.0 mg/70 kg orally administered), and the anticholinergic scopolamine (0.6 mg/70 kg subcutaneously administered) on memory and attentional measures hypothesized to differentiate the drugs. At the studied doses, lorazepam and scopolamine produced similar decrements in psychomotor performance, free recall, and overall sensitivity in distinguishing between studied and nonstudied items on a recognition memory test. However, the drugs differed with respect to effects on working memory, response bias, metacognition, subjective awareness, and selective attention. In addition to providing information about the cognitive psychopharmacological profiles of drugs with distinct neurochemical and pharmacological mechanisms of action, this study also informs the understanding of memory and attentional processes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)56-72
Number of pages17
JournalExperimental and clinical psychopharmacology
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pharmacology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Lorazepam and scopolamine: A single-dose comparison of effects on human memory and attentional processes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this