Effects of temazepam on memory and psychomotor performance: a dose-response study

In a randomised, three-period crossover study, psychomotor performance and memory were tested and mood assessed for 3 h after single doses of placebo (PL), 20 mg temazepam (T20) or 30 mg temazepam (T30) were given to six healthy females aged 21-23. A composite measure of psychomotor speed showed a dose-dependent slowing (Page's L trend test: p < 0.001; sign test PL vs T20 and T30 vs T20: p < 0.05). The number of errors in the performance of tasks was increased, significantly in the case of some measures. Explicit memory (Buschke Selective Reminding Task) showed significant impairment of long-term but not short-term memory (Page's L trend test: p < 0.05). The form of the dose-response curve was positively accelerating, with the difference in performance between T20 and T30 at least as great as that between PL and T20. Visual Analogue Scales showed a decrease in a factor representing functional integrity (Page's L trend test: p < 0.05;) sign test (PL vs T20: p < 0.05), but no changes in mood. These results show that 30 mg is a useful extension of the dose range of temazepam, being well tolerated and that it produces a substantially greater impairment of performance than 20 mg. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.