Comparative cognitive and psychomotor effects of single doses of Valeriana officianalis and triazolam in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Objectives. To assess the cognitive and psychomotor effects of single oral doses of valerian in healthy volunteers in comparison with a placebo and the hypnotic agent triazolam. Methods. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-way crossover study nine healthy subjects (5 males, 4 females) received in random order valerian 500 mg, valerian 1000 mg, triazolam 0.25 mg and placebo. Doses were separated by a wash-out period of at least 1 week. Subjects were tested before each dose and at 2, 4 and 8 h after the dose of each compound using the critical flicker fusion (CFF), choice reaction time (CRT), digit symbol substitution test (DSST), symbol search test (SST), digit span test (DST) and vis..