Morning amnestic effects of triazolam

The effects of triazolam on immediate and delayed recall were evaluated in a double-blind placebo controlled study in 22 normal volunteers. Subjects were randomized to receive triazolam or a placebo as a single dose administered at bedtime. Immediate and delayed recall are tested using a modified version of the "Williams Word Memory Task" before and at .5, 8, and 14 hours after drug administration. Delayed recall was evaluated at the 14 hour time point for words recalled at the pre drug and 1/2 and 8 hour time points. No significant difference was noted between the triazolam and placebo group with regard to their immediate recall ability at any of the time points. The placebo group demonstrated no decrease in their delayed recall ability during any of the various post drug time points. However, when evaluating delayed recall in the triazolam group, a statistically significant (p less than .05) decrease compared to baseline in their recall ability of words remembered at the .5 and 8 hour time points was noted. This study suggests that triazolam's amnestic effect may extend beyond the duration of its generally accepted hypnotic efficacy. This is consistent with the hypothesis that amnestic potency among the benzodiazepines is related to benzodiazepine receptor binding affinity and lipophilicity.