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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

A Computerized Test Battery to Study Pharmacodynamic Effects on the Central Nervous System of Cholinergic Drugs in Early Phase Drug Development

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Interference effects on verbal memory function, following oral lorazepam.

J I Tsakonas¹, K C Kirkby, I M Montgomery

¹Department of Psychology, University of Tasmania, PO Box 252C, Hobart 7001.

Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)

|February 4, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Lorazepam may increase susceptibility to proactive interference in verbal memory, but does not appear to cause classic benzodiazepine amnesia in low social drinkers. Further research is needed.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychopharmacology

Background:

Benzodiazepines, like lorazepam, are known to cause memory deficits.
The role of interference in benzodiazepine-induced amnesia is not well understood.
Alcohol consumption may confound studies on lorazepam's amnesic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate lorazepam's effect on verbal memory and susceptibility to interference.
To control for alcohol consumption in low social drinkers.
To examine proactive and retroactive interference in lorazepam-induced amnesia.

Main Methods:

24 low social drinkers received either 2 mg oral lorazepam or placebo.
Verbal memory and interference were assessed using the Auditory Verbal Learning Test.
Interference tasks included a word list (trial B) and a counting backwards task.

Main Results:

Lorazepam significantly increased susceptibility to proactive interference.
No significant effect on retroactive interference was observed.
Lorazepam impaired initial verbal learning but not subsequent learning or delayed recall.

Conclusions:

Lorazepam may enhance proactive interference, contributing to memory impairment.
The observed memory impairment pattern differs from classic benzodiazepine amnesia.
Findings suggest a nuanced effect of lorazepam on verbal memory in low social drinkers.