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Susceptibility to Methylpentynol: Eyelid Conditioning and P.G.R. Response

Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals^*

Cyril M. Franks, Ph.D., Formerly Lecturer

Psychology Department, University of London, Institute of Psychiatry

Edward Marley, M.D., Formerly Senior Registrar

Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals, London, S.E.5

^* Present address: H.M. Prison, Brixton, Brixton Hill, London.

Present address: New Jersey Neuro-Psychiatric Institute, Princeton, New Jersey.

Present address: Department of Pharmacology, Royal College of Surgeons, Examination Hall, Queen Square, London, W.C.1.

ABSTRACT

Twenty-five subjects were prescribed 0.5 g. q.d.s. of methylpentynol for 5 days preceded by a similar period on inert capsules.

During the period on inert capsules, the patient completed the Maudsley Personality Inventory and the control conditioned eyeblink and psychogalvanic responses were obtained. The final conditioned eyeblink and psychogalvanic responses were determined on the fourth day of the course of methylpentynol.

No relation was found between susceptibility to the drug and conditioning ability. Methylpentynol possessed a depressant effect on eyeblink conditioning.

There was no relation between susceptibility to methylpentynol and extraversion scores obtained from the Maudsley Personality Inventory, although there seemed a definite association between high neuroticism scores determined from the same questionnaire and susceptibility to the drug.

Methylpentynol has a depressant effect on sympathetic conditioning as measured by the psychogalvanic response.