Psychomotor functioning

In summary, the frank neurotoxic effects of endosulfan are apparent only after acute ingestion of relatively high doses in animals. However, long-term decreased psychomotor function, possibly resulting from acute endosulfan exposure, have been reported by two authors (Aleksandrowicz 1979 Shemesh et al. 1988). Such effects cannot be easily measured in animals. Hence, the fact that long-term neurotoxic effects have not been observed in animals does not mean that such effects caimot occur in humans. However, no information was located that indicated that persons exposed to low levels of endosulfan might experience any neurotoxicity. 

King, D. and Henry, G., The effect of neuroleptics on cognitive and psychomotor function A preliminary study of helath volunteers. British Journal of Psychiatry 160, 647-653., 1992. 

Evident impairement to motor and psychomotor function including slurred speech... 

Murray JB. (1986). Marijuana s effects on human cognitive functions, psychomotor functions, and personality. J Gen Psychol. 113(1) 23-55. 

To provide a more complete profile of performance skills, we needed to measure psychomotor function as well as scores on paper and pencil tasks. After discarding a small pegboard test used in the 1960 studies, we replaced it with a large flat board that rested on a table and used much larger holes and pegs. This reduced the need for the visual acuity required to place circular blocks into matching holes as rapidly as possible. 

Number Facility (Fig. 30), the most consistently used single test of cognitive ability, was affected very similarly to Pegboard performance (Fig. 31), which is a test of psychomotor function. Near (Fig. 32) and Far (Fig. 33) visual acuity were likewise almost identically affected. 

Assessment methods that determine mental functioning (attention, orientation, memory, speech, understanding of speech, psychomotor functions) in a simple, practical way are recommended for a rough estimation of the severity of dementia. The best-known instrument is the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE. Folstein et al.. 1975), which allows the grading of dementia on a 30-point scale on the basis of a simple 5 10-min examination. Other, rather more involved procedures include the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) of Mattis (1976) and the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) of Rosen et al. (1984). The... 

Beuzen, JJN., Taylor, N., Wesnes, K., Wood, A A comparison of the effects of olanzapine, haloperidol and placebo on cognitive and psychomotor functions in healthy elderly volunteers. J. Psychopharmacol. 13, 152-158, 1999. 

Pretorius, J.L., Phillips, M., Langley, R.W., et al. Comparison of clozapine and haloperidol on some autonomic and psychomotor functions, and on serum prolactin concentration. Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 52, 322-326, 2001. 

CNS side effects include lethargy, drowsiness, increase in REM sleep, restlessness, excitement and impaired psychomotor functions. 

The investigators who studied only the cognitive effects of triazolam (0.125 mg) stated, Elderly persons may remain unaware of or fail to express on standard rating instruments, the sedative effects of triazolam seen by an observer and evident in the results of tests of psychomotor function and memory ( 321). 

Sedation is common, particularly at initiation of treatment and is largely related to antihistamine and antiadrenergic effects. Weight gain may also be related to antihistamine effects. Some recent evidence suggests there can be impairment of psychomotor function but in the treatment of patients with depression this must... 

Sedation is uncommon and instead many patients will find that these drugs may impair sleep, which is why the dose is best taken in the morning. There is also little effect on psychomotor function. Occasional patients have a small reduction in heart rate but otherwise effects on the cardiovascular system are rare. Epileptic convulsions can occur but are rare and much less common than with tricyclic antidepressants. There is some evidence for potentiation of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-induced seizures. Sexual dysfunction is reported, principally delayed ejaculation and anorgasmia. 

Hindmarch, I., Psychomotor function and psychoactive drugs, Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol, 10, 189, 1980. 

Blom, M.W. et al., Tire effects of alprazolam, quazepam and diazepam on saccadic eye movements, parameters of psychomotor function and the EEG, Fund. Clin. Pharmacol., 4, 653, 1990. 

Table 6.1 contains the individual tasks of the UTC-PAB. These tasks measure a variety of human cognitive and psychomotor functioning, including focused attention, selective attention, divided attention, memory, and a variety of additional task components.4 7... 

A number of studies have been conducted examining the effects of sleep deprivation in medical trainees on performance on a variety of neuropsychological and neurobehavioral tests. Many of these studies have examined the impact of shortterm (on call) sleep loss on psychomotor function, sometimes in combination with simulated medical tasks. Reaction time, vigilance, and manual dexterity are among the parameters that have been shown to be negatively impacted by sleep loss in these studies, although these results are not universally found. For example, sleep deprivation in residents has also been associated with reduced per-... 

Most of the sedative-hypnotics are capable of inhibiting the development and spread of epileptiform activity in the central nervous system. Some selectivity exists in that some members of the group can exert anticonvulsant effects without marked central nervous system depression (although psychomotor function may be impaired). Several benzodiazepines—including clonazepam, nitrazepam, lorazepam, and diazepam—are sufficiently selective to be clinically useful in the management of seizure states (see Chapter 24 Antiseizure Drugs). Of the barbiturates, phenobarbital and metharbital (converted to phenobarbital in the body) are effective in the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. 

Wingen M, Bothemer J, Langer S, Ramaekers JG (2005) Actual driving performance and psychomotor function in healthy subjects after acute and subchronic treatment with escitalopram, mirtazapine, and placebo a crossover trial. J Clin Psychiatry 66 436 143... 

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