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Abstract:
Benzodiazepines (BZ) have been used as pharmacological models
of Korsakoff syndrome due to the pattern of amnestic effects
produced. However, it has been suggested that certain atypical BZ
compounds (e.g. lorazepam) may also exert implicit memory
impairment. In the search for more adequate paradigms for assessing
memory in the psychopharmacology field we evaluated the effects of
a typical BZ (flunitrazepam-F) and lorazepam (L) using the "Process
Dissociation Procedure" (PDP). The PDP proposes alternative indices
of explicit (M) and implicit or automatic (A) memory strategies to
those used in classical investigations. In the present independent
group design study of single oral doses of BZ, 60 healthy
volunteers were randomly allocated to 5 groups: F (0.6mg; 0.8mg;
1.0mg), 2mg of L and placebo. Stimuli consisted of 5-letter-words
processed either perceptually or conceptually at presentation.
Recollection was assessed using stem-completions. A and M were both
differently sensitive to presentation manipulations and drugs. The
PDP was shown to constitute a useful tool for studies in
psychopharmacology and may help characterise BZ memory effects.
Financial support: AFIP, FAPESP, CNPq.
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