Francis W. Hughes

Effects of some tetrahydrocannabinols on hexobarbital sleeping time and amp amphetamine induced hyperactivity in mice

Abstract Further studies on the actions of marihuana (Cannabis sativa) have been reported. An extract of marihuana, natural tetrahydrocannabinol, and two synthetic tetrahydrocannabinols were investigated for depressant or stimulant actions. Sleeping times after sodium hexobarbital and measurement of motor activity after amphitamine administration in mice pretreated with the drugs were used to determine the stimulant or depressant properties, respectively. Natural tetrahydrocannabinol and both synthetic tetrahydrocannabinols significantly prolonged hexobarbital sleeping time, while natural tetrahydrocannabinol, 3-n-amyl tetrahydrocannabinol, and the marihuana extract significantly increased the activity induced by amphetamine. Natural THC and synthetic 3-n-amyl decreased normal activity, but later increased it over that of controls.

COMPARATIVE EFFECT IN HUMAN SUBJECTS OF CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE, DIAZEPAM, AND PLACEBO ON MENTAL AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE.

Two tranquilizers, chlordiazepoxide and diazepam, and placebo medication were studied in 18 subjects for their effects on mental and motor performance with and without small amounts of ethanol. Attentive motor performance was measured with a pursuit meter developed by the authors. Ethanol was the only drug used alone that impaired motor performance. Over‐all drug‐alcohol interaction was not significant with diazepam or chlordiazepoxide. However, in one pattern, a synergistic effect of diazepam with alcohol occurred. Mental performance was measured with a delayed auditory feedback system. The subiects had nine verbal or arithmetical tests on six different occasions on a 6 x 6 random plan. By this procedure only alcohol effected a decrease in performance scores. No appreciable additive effect of chlordiazepoxide or diazepam with alcohol (in low blood concentration) was evident.

COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF THREE ANTIHISTAMINICS AND ETHANOL ON MENTAL AND MOTOR PERFORMANCE.

The effect of three antihistaminics, alone and with ethanol, on mental and motor performance has been measured. Alcohol consistently effected a significant impairment of both mental and motor performance. No significant mental impairment was observed when the antihistaminic drugs were given alone, nor was the effect of ethanol potentiated by them significantly. When motor performance was measured, none of the antihistaminics alone produced significant effects. In the presence of ethanol, the action of diphenhydramine was potentiated in two tests. The depressant property of the antihistaminics studied was much more apparent to the subjects than that of alcohol, and, yet, significant impairment was observed only with alcohol.

The comparative enhancement of the depressant action of alcohol by eight representative ataractic and analgesic drugs

Eine Methode zur Messung der Potenzierung von Tranquilizern und Analgetika auf Äthanoldepression wird beschrieben. Unbeweglichkeit von Mäusen wird als Kriterium der Depression genommen. Die fünf Tranquilizer, die gebraucht wurden, haben Äthanol in verschiedenen Graden potenziert. Von den drei analgetischen Drogen hat Morphin, nicht aberd-Propoxyphen und Codein, Äthanolnarkose potenziert.

Dextro-amphetamine, ethanol and dextro-amphetamine-ethanol combinations on performance of human subjects stressed with delayed auditory feedback (DAF)

SummaryA delayed audiofeedback (DAF) system has been used to induce a stressful situation in eight human subjects and their performance in verbal and arithmetical tests was quantified under the influence of d-amphetamine and/or ethanol. Ethanol decreased performance. Dextroamphetamine had relatively no effect and when given in combination with ethanol no clear evidence of antagonism of ethanol was demonstrable.

Alcohol and caffeine in choice-discrimination tests in rats.

Summary A series of rats received alcohol, caffeine, or alcohol-caffeine combinations. Conditioned and unconditioned responses as well as erors in choice (discrimination) were measured. No significant changes were noted in total conditioned or unconditioned responsiveness with small doses of caffeine (50 mg/kg) or with a dosage of 1 g/kg of ethanol. By all measurements, as well as observation, caffeine potentiated the depressive effect of alcohol long after the alcohol had disappeared from the blood. This was most marked with intermediate (100 mg/kg) or with high (150 mg/kg) dosages of caffeine. In no instance did caffeine antagonize the effects of alcohol.

Influence of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide on Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis.

Summary Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was administered to guinea pigs that had received subcutaneous injections of brain homogenate. Dosages of 20 or 50 μg/kg triweekly reduced the incidence of paralysis as well as mortality rate. In animals that had demonstrable histopathologic lesions after the drug, the severity of the lesions was reduced.

Effect of Low Blood Alcohol Level on Stereoscopic Acuity and Fixation Disparity

The stereoscopic acuity and fixation disparity of 9 Ss was measured before and after the consumption of 1 oz. of Scotch or bourbon whiskey per 150 lb. of body weight. It was found that, while stereoscopic acuity measures were unaffected by alcohol, fixation disparity increased significantly.

MEASUREMENT OF ATTENTIVE MOTOR PERFORMANCE AFTER ALCOHOL.

Tracking apparatus is described in which attention and motor manipulation are required. Twenty-three Ss were tested prior to and after receiving alcohol. A mean decrease in performance, i.e., increase in error score, was noted in four tests, two of which reached statistically significant levels with blood alcohol concentrations measured at less than 50 mgm. per 100 ml. of blood.

TOXICITY AND DEPRESSANT ACTION OF ETHANOL AND HEXOBARBITAL AFTER PRETREATMENT WITH ASPARAGINE.

Abstract Pretreatment with l -asparagine enhanced the depressant properties of ethanol as measured by sleeping time and immobility time which have been operationally defined. A similar synergism of hexobarbital was observed. Neither the LD 50 of alcohol nor hexobarbital was altered significantly when animals were pretreated with l -asparagine.