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Psychological Effects of Centrally Acting Drugs in Man

Effects of Chlorpromazine and Secobarbital on Visual and Motor Behaviour

Ogretta Humphries, B.S.

Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Menial Health, National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Bethesda, Maryland

ABSTRACT

Summary and Conclusions: Twelve normal volunteers were given 100 and 200 mg. of chlorpromazine and 100 and 200 mg. of secobarbital on separate days. All drugs were administered orally and the "double blind" technique was employed throughout. Ninety minutes after the ingestion of the drug, subjects were tested on a variety of psychological tests, and 210 minutes after the drug, blood pressure, pulse, respiration and oral temperature were recorded.

The following conclusions were drawn from the data:

1. At doses of 100 and 200 mg. chlorpromazine has a greater effect on tests of motor co-ordination than100and 200mg. ofsecobarbital, respectively.
   
2. Two hundred mg. of secobarbital has a greatereffect on a test that is related to intellectual functioning than 200 mg. of chlorpromazine.
   
3. Four hours after oral ingestion of chlorpromazine and secobarbital, sleep time is significantly increased for both 100 and 200 mg. of chlorpromazine, but not for secobarbital.
   
4. This study supports a thesis of general drug sensitivity in human subjects. Subjects most affected by one drug are most affected by other drugs.