[Saccadic eye movements as a measure of the pharmacodynamics of benzodiazepines. Evaluation of various occulographic parameters].

Effects of a single dose of 0.25 mg triazolam p.o. on saccadic eye movements were studied in 6 healthy volunteers. Triazolam was chosen because of its short half-life of 2.5 hours. Peak velocity, duration, acceleration/deceleration index, ratio of hypometric saccades and number of corrective saccades were measured before and at repeated intervals after triazolam administration over a period of 9 hours. Maximal change compared with baseline was observed 90 min. after drug administration. After 9 hours baseline values were reached. As with other benzodiazepines, peak velocity and duration of saccades were the most reliable parameters. Additionally, the number of corrective saccades was found to be a sensitive indicator of drug-induced impairment of oculomotor performance. The present study again emphasises the importance of saccadic eye movements for assessing effects of sedative drugs.