Effects of dexamphetamine with and without alcohol on simulated driving
RationaleIn party circuits dexamphetamine is frequently used in combination with alcohol. It is hypothesized that co-administration of dexamphetamine to alcohol might reduce the sedative effects of alcohol, but may potentiate risk-taking behaviour.ObjectivesThe study was aimed at assessing the effec...
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2012
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| In: |
Psychopharmacology
Year: 2011, Volume: 222, Issue: 3, Pages: 391-399 |
| ISSN: | 1432-2072 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00213-011-2549-0 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2549-0 Verlag, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2549-0 
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| Author Notes: | Ries Simons, Marieke Martens, Jan Ramaekers, Arno Krul, Ineke Klöpping-Ketelaars, Gisela Skopp |
| Summary: | RationaleIn party circuits dexamphetamine is frequently used in combination with alcohol. It is hypothesized that co-administration of dexamphetamine to alcohol might reduce the sedative effects of alcohol, but may potentiate risk-taking behaviour.ObjectivesThe study was aimed at assessing the effects of alcohol, dexamphetamine and the combination of both on simulated driving and cognitive performance.MethodEighteen subjects participated in a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study employing four conditions: 10 mg dexamphetamine, 0.8 g/kg alcohol, 10 mg dexamphetamine + 0.8 g/kg alcohol, and placebo. Fundamental driving skills and risk-taking behaviour were assessed in a driving simulator. Subjects also completed vigilance and divided attention tasks, and subjective ratings.ResultsMean BAC levels during simulated driving were between 0.91‰ and 0.64‰. Subjects using alcohol showed a significantly larger mean standard deviation of lateral position and shorter accepted gap time and distance. Use of alcohol or dexamphetamine + alcohol was associated with a higher frequency of red light running and collisions than the dexamphetamine or placebo conditions. Performance of vigilance and divided attention tasks was significantly impaired in the alcohol condition and, to a lesser degree, in the dexamphetamine + alcohol condition.ConclusionSingle doses of 0.8 g/kg alcohol increased risk-taking behaviours and impaired tracking, attention and reaction time during a 3-h period after drinking when BACs declined from 0.9 to 0.2 mg/ml. The stimulatory effects of co-administration of dexamphetamine 10 mg were not sufficient to overcome the impairing effects of alcohol on skills related to driving. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 17.10.2018 Published online: 11 November 2011 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1432-2072 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00213-011-2549-0 |