Use of computerized psychomotor testing in determining CNS effects of drugs

Two interactive, computer-controlled tests--critical flicker fusion and discriminant reaction time tasks--are described. These tasks, and subjective sedation ratings using visual analogue scales, were shown to be sensitive in a dose-related fashion to the effects of CNS depressants (diazepam, 15 mg and lorazepam, 1 and 2 mg). Such brief, interactive, computerized tasks should be useful in screening new agents for CNS activity in humans.