A comparison of some psychological and physiological effects exerted by zetidoline (DL308) and by oxazepam.

In a double-blind, balanced crossover study, eight healthy male volunteers ingested either DL-308 (10 mg), DL-308 (20 mg), oxazepam (30 mg) or placebo. Subjective estimates of coordination and anxiety, objective performance measurements and cardiovascular measurements were taken at 1, 3, 5 and 8 h after ingestion. DL-308 (20 mg) exerted a strong sedative effect as judged by self-reported coordination scores and performance on logical reasoning and reaction time tests. The effect was evident almost immediately and, on the coordination and reasoning tests, lasted up to 8 h following ingestion. Attention is drawn to the need to extend performance testing in order to maximise test sensitivity. No drug had any consistent or strong influence on cardiovascular measures.