THE HYPOXIA MODEL IN HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY - NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOMETRIC STUDIES WITH ANIRACETAM IV

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 3  (3) , 171-181
Abstract
Changes in human brain function and mental performance under hypoxic hypoxidosis as well as after i.v. injection of aniracetam, a new potentially nootropic 2-pyrrolidinone derivative, were investigated in a double-blind placebo-controlled study utilizing computer-assisted spectral analysis of the EEG and psychometric tests. Hypoxic hypoxidosis was induced by a fixed gas combination of 11.2% O2 and 88.8% N2, which was inhaled under normobaric conditions by 10 male healthy volunteers. The following substances were injected i.v. at weekly intervals according to a latin square design: placebo, 10 mg and 100 mg aniracetam and the solvent under hypoxic conditions as well as placebo under mormoxic conditions. Spectral analysis of the EEG recorded under hypoxia demonstrated neurophysiological alterations indicative of a deterioration in vigilance, which was also reflected by a deterioration in psychomotor activity and mnestic performance in the psychometric tests. Aniracetam i.v. attenuated the hypoxia induced deterioration of brain function and mental performance, thus exhibiting protective properties against hypoxia in man. The usefulness of the hypoxia model in the screening of antihypoxidotic compounds is discussed.