Effects of amitriptyline and mianserin on psychomotor skills and memory in man

1. Twenty volunteers were treated with amitriptyline 25 mg, mianserin 10 mg, and placebo, three times daily for 2 weeks each, in a double-blind cross-over study. Tests of psychomotor function and of learning and memory, were carried out after consumption of alcohol or a placebo drink at intervals during each treatment period. 2. Coordinative and reactive skills were affected by mianserin on the first day only, but by amitriptyline up to day 7 in most of the tests. Both drugs seemed to interact additively with alcohol. 3. Amitriptyline impaired short-term memory span and acquisition, and alcohol enhanced these effects. Mianserin did not affect learning and memory, and did not interact with alcohol in this respect. 4. The differing effects of amitripyline and mianserin are considered in relation to anticholinergic properties.