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Effect of midazolam on memory
A A Borbély1, B Schläpfer, L Trachsel
1Institute of Pharmacology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
The effect of a single bedtime dose (7.5 or 15 mg) of 8-chloro-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-imidazol[1,5-a] [1,4]benzodiazepine (midazolam, Ro 21-3981, Dormicum) on memory was investigated in young, healthy adults. 2 h after drug intake the subjects were awakened and presented with a series of tasks. Recall was assessed immediately following the task presentation and after awakening in the morning. Immediate recall at night was impaired by the 15 mg dose. A further, dose-dependent decrement of recall from night to morning was observed. In contrast to the immediate deficit, the delayed amnestic effect showed little interindividual variability, was largely independent of the type of task, and was significant even for the 7.5 mg dose. Recall of a list of words learnt before drug intake was not impaired by the lower dose, and was enhanced by the higher dose. The results indicate that two separate processes underlie the immediate and the delayed anterograde amnestic action of benzodiazepines.
Insights
This study investigated midazolam
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for anxiety and insomnia.
- Midazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine with sedative and amnestic properties.
- Understanding the specific effects of midazolam on memory is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a single bedtime dose of midazolam (7.5 or 15 mg) on memory recall in young, healthy adults.
- To differentiate between immediate and delayed amnestic effects.
- To explore dose-dependent effects and interindividual variability.
Main Methods:
- Administration of midazolam (7.5 or 15 mg) or placebo at bedtime.
- Assessment of immediate recall 2 hours after drug intake.
- Assessment of delayed recall upon morning awakening.
- Utilized various memory tasks, including word list recall.
Main Results:
- The 15 mg dose of midazolam impaired immediate recall.
- A dose-dependent decrement in recall was observed from night to morning.
- The delayed amnestic effect was significant even at the 7.5 mg dose and showed low variability.
- Recall of pre-drug learned words was not impaired by 7.5 mg and was enhanced by 15 mg.
Conclusions:
- Midazolam exerts both immediate and delayed anterograde amnestic effects.
- These two amnestic actions appear to be mediated by separate underlying processes.
- The delayed effect is more consistent and pronounced than the immediate effect, even at lower doses.