Vigilance and evaluation of psychotropic drug effects on EEG.

Dynamics and structure of EEG-patterning are highly sensitive indicators of psychotropic drug effects on the regulation of vigilance. Methodological requirements for an adequate evaluation of these effects and appropriate procedures for their measurement are discussed. The kind of information to be obtained by using these strategies is illustrated by the results of comparative investigations concerning the action of Viloxazine, a new antidepressant drug, on the resting activity and on the waking EEG during performance of various tracking tasks.