Biomaterial Database

Models of memory dysfunction? A comparison of the effects of scopolamine and lorazepam on memory, psychomotor performance and mood. 1991

H V Curran, and F Schifano, and M Lader

Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.

The effects on memory, psychomotor functions and mood of intramuscular scopolamine (0.3 mg, 0.6 mg) were compared with those of oral lorazepam (2 mg) and placebo. Thirty-six volunteers took part in a double-blind, independent groups design. Subjects completed a battery of tests 1 and 3 h after drug administration. Both doses of scopolamine produced levels of sedation comparable to that produced by lorazepam. The time course of effects of scopolamine and lorazepam differed but the pattern of psychomotor impairments and amnestic effects produced was very similar. In terms of mood, lorazepam had an anxiolytic effect whereas scopolamine increased ratings of anxiety. Levels of sedation, indexed by either subjective ratings or motor retardation (tapping speed), were related more to psychomotor performance than to performance on memory tasks. The results suggest that benzodiazepines and scopolamine have similar amnestic and sedative effects and as such may not offer distinct models of memory dysfunction.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006993	Hypnotics and Sedatives	Drugs used to induce drowsiness or sleep or to reduce psychological excitement or anxiety.	Hypnotic,Sedative,Sedative and Hypnotic,Sedatives,Hypnotic Effect,Hypnotic Effects,Hypnotics,Sedative Effect,Sedative Effects,Sedatives and Hypnotics,Effect, Hypnotic,Effect, Sedative,Effects, Hypnotic,Effects, Sedative,Hypnotic and Sedative
D008140	Lorazepam	A benzodiazepine used as an anti-anxiety agent with few side effects. It also has hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and considerable sedative properties and has been proposed as a preanesthetic agent.	Apo-Lorazepam,Ativan,Donix,Duralozam,Durazolam,Idalprem,Laubeel,Lorazep Von Ct,Lorazepam Medical,Lorazepam-Neuraxpharm,Lorazepam-Ratiopharm,Novo-Lorazem,Nu-Loraz,Orfidal Wyeth,Sedicepan,Sinestron,Somagerol,Temesta,Tolid,Témesta,WY-4036,Apo Lorazepam,Lorazepam Neuraxpharm,Lorazepam Ratiopharm,Medical, Lorazepam,Novo Lorazem,Nu Loraz,Von Ct, Lorazep,WY 4036,WY4036,Wyeth, Orfidal
D008297	Male		Males
D008569	Memory Disorders	Disturbances in registering an impression, in the retention of an acquired impression, or in the recall of an impression. Memory impairments are associated with DEMENTIA; CRANIOCEREBRAL TRAUMA; ENCEPHALITIS; ALCOHOLISM (see also ALCOHOL AMNESTIC DISORDER); SCHIZOPHRENIA; and other conditions.	Memory Loss,Age-Related Memory Disorders,Memory Deficits,Memory Disorder, Semantic,Memory Disorder, Spatial,Memory Disorders, Age-Related,Retention Disorders, Cognitive,Semantic Memory Disorder,Spatial Memory Disorder,Age Related Memory Disorders,Age-Related Memory Disorder,Cognitive Retention Disorder,Cognitive Retention Disorders,Deficit, Memory,Deficits, Memory,Memory Deficit,Memory Disorder,Memory Disorder, Age-Related,Memory Disorders, Age Related,Memory Disorders, Semantic,Memory Disorders, Spatial,Memory Losses,Retention Disorder, Cognitive,Semantic Memory Disorders,Spatial Memory Disorders
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D008960	Models, Psychological	Theoretical representations that simulate psychological processes and/or social processes. These include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Model, Mental,Model, Psychological,Models, Mental,Models, Psychologic,Psychological Models,Mental Model,Mental Models,Model, Psychologic,Psychologic Model,Psychologic Models,Psychological Model
D011597	Psychomotor Performance	The coordination of a sensory or ideational (cognitive) process and a motor activity.	Perceptual Motor Performance,Sensory Motor Performance,Visual Motor Coordination,Coordination, Visual Motor,Coordinations, Visual Motor,Motor Coordination, Visual,Motor Coordinations, Visual,Motor Performance, Perceptual,Motor Performance, Sensory,Motor Performances, Perceptual,Motor Performances, Sensory,Perceptual Motor Performances,Performance, Perceptual Motor,Performance, Psychomotor,Performance, Sensory Motor,Performances, Perceptual Motor,Performances, Psychomotor,Performances, Sensory Motor,Psychomotor Performances,Sensory Motor Performances,Visual Motor Coordinations
D004311	Double-Blind Method	A method of studying a drug or procedure in which both the subjects and investigators are kept unaware of who is actually getting which specific treatment.	Double-Masked Study,Double-Blind Study,Double-Masked Method,Double Blind Method,Double Blind Study,Double Masked Method,Double Masked Study,Double-Blind Methods,Double-Blind Studies,Double-Masked Methods,Double-Masked Studies,Method, Double-Blind,Method, Double-Masked,Methods, Double-Blind,Methods, Double-Masked,Studies, Double-Blind,Studies, Double-Masked,Study, Double-Blind,Study, Double-Masked
D005260	Female		Females
D005425	Flicker Fusion	The point or frequency at which all flicker of an intermittent light stimulus disappears.	Flicker Fusions,Fusion, Flicker,Fusions, Flicker