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Effects of midazolam on explicit vs implicit memory in a pediatric surgery setting
Sherry H Stewart1, Susan E Buffett-Jerrott, G Allen Finley
1Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Life Sciences Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4J1, Canada. sstewart@dal.ca
Psychopharmacology
|April 25, 2006
Summary
Midazolam impairs explicit memory but not implicit memory in young children undergoing surgery. This suggests a dissociation between memory types in pediatric patients receiving midazolam.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Previous studies indicate midazolam impairs explicit memory in children undergoing surgery.
- A within-subjects study found midazolam impaired explicit but not implicit memory in older children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate and extend findings on midazolam's effects on memory in younger children.
- To investigate memory performance in children aged 3-6 years undergoing surgery.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, placebo-controlled trial with children aged 3-6 years undergoing myringotomy surgery.
- Participants received either midazolam or placebo.
- Explicit (recognition) and implicit (priming) memory were assessed post-surgery for pre-surgery encoded pictures.
Main Results:
- Midazolam-treated children demonstrated poorer recognition memory compared to the placebo group.
- Priming on the implicit memory task was equivalent between midazolam and placebo groups.
Conclusions:
- Midazolam appears to induce a dissociation between explicit and implicit memory in young children undergoing surgery.
- Findings have theoretical and clinical implications for pediatric anesthesia and memory research.