Accession Number:

ADA021520

Title:

The Effects of Dextroamphetamine on Physiological Responses and Complex Performance during Sleep Loss.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.,

Corporate Author:

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON D C OFFICE OF AVIATION MEDICINE

Personal Author(s):

• Higgins,E. A.
• Chiles,W. D.
• McKenzie,J. M.
• Iampietro,P. F.
• Vaughan,J. A.

Report Date:

1975-11-01

Pagination or Media Count:

17.0

Abstract:

On two separate occasions, performance of 10 male subjects was measured on the Civil Aeromedical Institute Multiple Task Performance Battery at 4-hour intervals for a period of 24 hours without sleep. Each subject received a capsule at 4-hour intervals beginning at 2000. On one occasion, the first three doses contained 5 mg each of dextroamphetamine sulfate followed by placebos for the remaining three capsules. On the other occasion, all capsules were placebos. Results of the experiment demonstrated that the dextroamphetamine sulfate sustained a high level of proficiency and alertness and delayed the effects of fatigue for 8 to 12 hours after the ingestion of the third and final drug capsule. Heart rate, rectal temperature, and urinary excretion rates of catecholamines were elevated with this drug. These increases could support the enhancement of proficiency and alertness demonstrated with amphetamines. Neither the subjects feelings of fatigue nor the accuracy of their estimates of performance capabilities differed significantly in these two test conditions. Author

Descriptors:

• *SLEEP
• *PSYCHOTROPIC AGENTS
• *AMPHETAMINES
• TEMPERATURE
• PERFORMANCE(HUMAN)
• PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
• FATIGUE
• MALES
• PROFICIENCY
• CATECHOLAMINES
• ATTENTION
• HEART
• URINE
• AVIATION MEDICINE
• BODY TEMPERATURE
• STEROIDS
• RECTUM

Subject Categories:

• Pharmacology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE