Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2026

The 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task: A Task of Attention and Impulse Control for Rodents
Published on: August 10, 2014
A comparison of the effects of atenolol and metoprolol on attention
Abstract:
Additional side-effects of two beta-blockers, atenolol (hydrophilic) and metoprolol (lipophilic), were measured in 18 normal male volunteers in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. A saccadic eye movement reaction time (RT) task, a manual RT version of the Stroop Colour-Word Task, the Span of Apprehension Task, and the Continuous Performance Task were presented on a graphics display screen. Standard cognitive effects were replicated on all measures. Atenolol was noticeably, but not significantly, superior to metoprolol in visual alerting and in angular breadth of visual information processing, both with saccadic RT.
Related Concept Videos
Adrenergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Classification of β-Receptor Blockers
Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers
Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers
Antihypertensive Drugs: Types of β-Blockers
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers
Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and β-Blockers
Organic nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, play a pivotal role. Once metabolized, they liberate nitric oxide, a molecular marvel. Nitric oxide triggers guanylyl cyclase and augments cGMP production. This biochemical cascade orchestrates the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, ushering in vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow. Administered...

