Drug Effects Upon Data Processing as Functions of Storage and Retrieval Parameters
Abstract
A synopsis of results obtained in four previous experiments with the paced sequential memory task (PSMT) is given to clarify the purpose of the present experiment. Each of these studies included dextro-amphetamine sulfate among various different conditions of drug treatment. These different treatments were imposed to study performance variations with respect to various task parameters, e.g., data rate and storage load, in addition to extra-task features such as incentive conditions. Throughout these four prior experiments, dextro-amphetamine was consistently the most active drug of the various psychoactive compounds employed. It yielded results ranging from significant enhancement to the significant impairment observed in one study. These results are discussed in relation to variations in task parameters and experimental conditions, in the attempt to isolate the crucial moderators that determine whether amphetamines enhance performance or impair it. Three alternative but non-exclusive hypotheses are advanced. A fifth experiment was designed to discriminate among them. In this study, the drug conditions were (1) dextro-amphetamine sulfate (15 mg/77 kg), (2) sodium amobarbital (96 mg/77 kg), (3) a combination of both drugs in the same dosages, and (4) placebo. Task variations were imposed upon storage load, list length, and method of transcribing answers (varying motor requirements). Results were analyzed both with and without statistical corrections for guessing. Results shoved significant enhancement by d-amphetamine in total performance across conditions, with no indications of dependency upon storage load, list length, or method of transcribing answers. The margin of superiority over placebo showed little variation across these conditions, nor was it appreciably changed by correction for guessing. Amobarbital given separately was closely comparable to placebo. When combined with d-amphetamine, it produced a non-significant weakening of the enhancement effect.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0665323
Entities
People
- Paul M. Hurst
- Robert Radlow
- Sallyann K. Bagley