Abstract
The effects of a benzodiazepine (triazolam 0.25 and 0.50 mg) on different aspects of cognitive function were assessed. Triazolam impaired free recall and recognition of information presented after drug administration. In contrast to these impairments in explicit memory, a memory function that did not require conscious awareness was not altered by triazolam. Similarly, triazolam did not affect subjects' abilities to access semantic memory.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brown J, Brown M, Horn G, Bowes JB (1982) A comparison between transient amnesias induced by two drugs (diazepam or lorazepam) and amnesia of organic origin. Neuropsychologia 20:55–70
Brown J, Brown M, Bowes J (1983) Effects of lorazepam on rate of forgetting, on retrieval from semantic memory and on manual dexterity. Neuropsychologia 21:501–512
Cohen J (1988) Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Lawrence Erlbaum, Hillsdale, New Jersey
Cohen NJ, Squire LR (1980) Preserved learning and retention of pattern analyzing skill in amnesia: dissociation of knowing how and knowing that. Science 210:207–210
Curran HV (1986) Tranquillising memories: a review of the effects of benzodiazepines on human memory. Biol Psychology 23:179–213
Danion J-M, Zimmermann M-A, Willard-Schroeder D, Grange D, Singer L (1989) Diazepam induces a dissociation between explicit and implicit memory. Psychopharmacology 99:238–243
Fang JC, Hinrichs JV, Ghoneim MM (1987) Diazepam and memory: evidence for spared memory function. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 28:347–352
Ghoneim MM, Hinrichs JV, Mewaldt SP (1984) Dose-response analysis of the behavioral effects of diazepam: I. Learning and memory. Psychopharmacology 82:291–295
Jacobi LL, Witherspoon D (1982) Remembering without awareness. Can J Psychol 36:300–324
Lister RG (1985) The amnesic action of benzodiazepines in man. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 9:87–94
Lister RG, File SE (1984) The nature of lorazepam-induced amnesia. Psychopharmacology 83:183–187
Lister RG, Weingartner HJ (1987) Neuropharmacological strategies for understanding psychobiological determinants of cognition. Hum Neurobiol 6:119–127
Martin A (1986) Representation of semantic and spatial knowledge in Alzehimer's patients: implications for models of preserved learning in amnesia. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 9:191–224
Milner B (1966) Amnesia following operation on the temporal lobes. In: Whitty CMW, Zangwill OL (eds) Amnesia. Butterworth, London
Roache JD, Grifiths RR (1985) Comparison of triazolam and pentobarbital: Performance impairment, subjective effects and abuse liability. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 234:120–133
Roth T, Hartse KM, Saab PG, Piccione PM, Kramer M (1980) The effects of flurazepam, lorazepam and triazolam on sleep and memory. Psychopharmacology 70:231–237
Schacter DL (1987) Implicit memory: history and current status. J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn 13:501–518
Spinweber CL, Johnson LC (1982) Effects of triazolam (0.5 mg) on sleep, performance, memory, and arousal threshold. Psychopharmacology 76:5–12
Sunderland T, Tariot P, Murphy D, Weingartner H, Mueller E, Cohen R (1985) Scopolamine challenges in Alzheimer's disease. Psychopharmacology 87:247–249
Sunderland T, Tariot P, Weingartner H, Mueller E, Murphy D (1987) Anticholinergic sensitivity in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type and age-matched controls. Arch Gen Psychiatry 44:418–426
Tulving E (1985) How many memory systems are there? Am Psychol 40:385–398
Weingartner H (1985) Models of memory dysfunctions. Ann NY Acad Sci 444:359–369
Weingartner H, Grafman J, Boutelle W, Kayne W, Martin PR (1983a) Forms of memory failure. Science 221:380–382
Weingartner H, Rudorfer MV, Buchsbaum MS, Linnoila M (1983b) Effects of serotonin on memory impairments produced by ethanol. Science 221:472–473
Wolkowitz OM, Weingartner H, Hommer D, Thompson K, Pickar D (1987) Diazepam-induced amnesia: a neuropharmacological model for the “organic amnestic syndrome”. Am J Psychiatry 144:25–29
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Weingartner, H.J., Hommer, D., Lister, R.G. et al. Selective effects of triazolam on memory. Psychopharmacology 106, 341–345 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02245415
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02245415