A multidimensional test approach for the description of the CNS activity of drugs in human pharmacology.

In a double-blind cross-over trial ten healthy male volunteers were administered placebo as well as one representative of each of the four hypothetical psychotropic drug classes, antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and psychostimulants. The drugs were: 75 mg of chlorpromazine, 75 mg of amitriptyline, 10 mg of diazepam and 18 mg of dextroamphetamine sulfate. The effects of the compounds were assessed by pharmaco EEG, an adjective checklist, and a battery of psychological performance tests. The results demonstrate that the test model differentiates well between sedative and stimulatory drug effects. In addition, this multidimensional test approach discriminates adequately the effects of the various sedative drugs. The advantages and limitations of multidimensional test approaches for the description of psychotropic drugs along with the importance of employing such an approach for the development of psychotropic drugs are discussed.