The effect of nitrous oxide and age on psychological and psychomotor performance

Healthy older and younger males were compared on several psychomotor and cognitive measures before, during, and after N(2)O inhalation. Age did not appear to be a significant factor in determining response to N(2)O though on several measures younger subjects are superior to older under all conditions. N(2)O had a significant effect only on reaction time and facial recognition tasks. The relation of these findings to previous work is discussed.