Neuromodulatory effects of bromazepam when individuals were exposed to a motor learning task: quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG)

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria 2006-03, Vol.64 (1), p.112-117
• Main Authors: Salles, José Inácio, Bastos, Victor Hugo, Cunha, Marlo, Machado, Dionis, Cagy, Maurício, Furtado, Vernon, Basile, Luis Fernando, Piedade, Roberto, Ribeiro, Pedro
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: Alpha Rhythm; Analysis of Variance; Anti-Anxiety Agents - pharmacology; Bromazepam - pharmacology; Case-Control Studies; Electrophysiology; Humans; Learning - drug effects; Motor Skills - drug effects; Motor Skills - physiology; Psychomotor Performance - drug effects; Psychomotor Performance - physiology
• ISSN: 0004-282X
• DOI: 10.1590/S0004-282X2006000100023

The sedative effects of bromazepam on cognitive and performance have been widely investigated. A number of different approaches have assessed the influence of bromazepam when individuals are engaged to a motor task. In this context, the present study aimed to investigate electrophysiological changes when individuals were exposed to a typewriting task after taking 6 mg of bromazepam. qEEG data were simultaneously recorded during the task. In particular, relative power in delta band (0.5-3.5 Hz) was analyzed. Time of execution and errors during the task were registered as behavioral variables. The experimental group, bromazepam 6 mg, showed a better motor performance and higher relative power than control individuals (placebo). These results suggest that the use of bromazepam reduces anxiety levels as expected and thus, produces an increment in motor performance.