Effects of diazepam on encoding processes

Benzodiazepines are known to induce amnesic effects. To specify these effects more precisely, 40 healthy volunteers were given 15 mg diazepam or placebo. Effects on a chain of encoding operations were investigated: activation of memory representations, spreading of activation, semantic encoding and organizational processes. The diazepam group performed tasks consistently slower, although spreading of activation and semantic encoding were not affected by diazepam. Rather, diazepam subjects benefited less from opportunities to organize to-be-learned material. It is suggested that cognitive processes are slowed down after diazepam intake. This may also have implications for the organization of to-be-learned material.