AMPHETAMINE, AROUSAL, AND HUMAN VESTIBULAR NYSTAGMUS
Abstract
A normal clinical dosage of amphetamine and a placebo were administered to groups of rotationnaive and rotation-experienced subjects by the double-blind method. The drug produced significant effects on pulse rate and systolic blood pressure. However, it did not significantly affect the slow-phase velocity of vestibular nystagmus during the first 30 seconds of response to a rotatory stimulus 4.15 degrees/sq sec applied for 13 seconds under conditions of mental activity and mental relaxation. In agreement with other studies, the mentally active state resulted in greater output and longer durations of nystagmus than did the relaxed state. Amphetamine produced significantly longer reactions than the placebo, tending to affect nystagmus more when subjects were relaxed. There were indications that the drug and mental activity may facilitate secondary nystagmus, especially with naive subjects. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 22, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0271070
Entities
People
- R.h. Poe
- W.e. Collins
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Laboratory