Summary
The effects of inhaling 12.5 per cent and 25 per cent nitrous oxide in oxygen were compared with those of pure oxygen in 12 normal subjects. The vertex (non-specific) electroencephalographic evoked responses to clicks were measured using a special-purpose averaging computer during each of the drug conditions. Palmar sweat-gland activity (skin conductance) and subjective ratings were also recorded. Nitrous oxide produced regular diminutions in certain of the components of the evoked response and rectilinear dose-effect curves with relatively narrow confidence limits could be constructed. Sweat-gland activity was not affected by the drug but subjective feelings of relaxation and drowsiness were noted.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abrahamian, H. A., T. Allison, W. R. Goff, and B. S. Rosner: Effects of thiopental on human cerebral evoked responses. Anesthesiology 24, 650–657 (1963).
Bergamasco, B.: Il potenziale evocate ed il ciclo di ricupero corticali nell'uomo usati sono tests di studio per d'azione di neurofarmaci. Boll. Soc. ital Biol. sper. 42, 1215–1216 (1966).
Berry, C.: Some effects of psychotropic drugs on human performance with special reference to the concept of arousal. Doctoral thesis, Univ. of London (1968).
Bickford, R. G., J. L. Jacobson, and D. T. R. Cody: Nature of average evoked potentials to sound and other stimuli in man. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 112, 204–223 (1964).
Burns, B. D., J. G. Robson, and P. J. L. Welt: The effects of nitrous oxide upon sensory thresholds. Canad. Anesth. Soc. J. 7, 411–422 (1960).
Corssen, G., and E. F. Domino: Visual evoked responses in man: a method for measuring cerebral effects of pre-anesthetic medication. Anesthesiology 25, 330–341 (1964).
Davis, H.: Enhancement of evoked cortical potentials in humans related to a task requiring a decision. Science 145, 182–183 (1964).
—, T. Mast, N. Yoshie, and S. Zerlin: The slow response of the human cortex to auditory stimuli: recovery process. Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol. 21, 105–113 (1966).
Davy, H.: Researches, chemical and philosophical, chiefly concerning nitrous oxide, or dephlogisticated nitrous air, and its respiration. St. Paul's Churchyard. London: J. Johnson 1800.
Dolce, G., and E. Kaemmerer: Wirkung des Benzodiazepin Adumbran auf das Ruhe- und Schlaf-EEG sowie auf die visuellen Reaktionspotentiale beim erwachsenen Menschen. Med. Welt 1, 510–514 (1967).
Domino, E. F.: Effects of pre-anesthetic and anesthetic drugs on visually evoked responses. Anesthesiology 28, 184–191 (1967).
—, G. Corssen, and R. B. Sweet: Effects of various general anesthetics on the visually evoked response in man. Anesth. Analg. Curr. Res. 42, 735–747 (1963).
Haider, M., P. Spong, and D. B. Lindsley: Attention, vigilance, and cortical evoked-potentials in humans. Science 145, 180–182 (1964).
Lader, M. H., and Lorna Wing: Physiological measures, sedative drugs, and morbid anxiety. London: Oxford University Press 1966.
Nakai, Y., M. Sasa, and S. Takaori: Effects of central depressants on the cortical auditory responses in the unrestrained cat. Jap. J. Pharmacol. 16, 416–422 (1966).
Norris, H.: The time course of barbiturate action in man investigated by measurement of smooth tracking eye movement. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 33, 117–128 (1968).
Sasa, M., Y. Nakai, and S. Takaori: Effects of volatile anesthetics on the evoked potentials and unitary discharges in the central auditory system caused by click stimuli in cats. Jap. J. Pharmacol. 17, 364–380 (1967).
Satterfield, J. H.: Evoked cortical response enhancement and attention in man. A study of responses to auditory and shock stimuli. Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol. 19, 470–475 (1965).
Spong, P., M. Haider, and D. B. Lindsley: Selective attentiveness and cortical evoked responses to visual and auditory stimuli. Science 148, 395–397 (1965).
Weitzman, E. D., and H. Kremen: Auditory evoked responses during different stages of sleep in man. Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol. 18, 65–70 (1965).
Westerlund, R. L., C. B. Pittinger, and S. N. Reger: The effects of nitrous oxide on responses to hearing. Anesth. Analges. Curr. Res. 40, 328–341 (1961).
Wilkinson, R. T.: Evoked response and reaction time. Acta psychol. (Amst.) 27, 235–245 (1967).
—, H. C. Morlock, and H. L. Williams: Evoked cortical response during vigilance. Psychon. Sci. 4, 221–222 (1966).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lader, M., Norris, H. The effects of nitrous oxide on the human auditory evoked response. Psychopharmacologia 16, 115–127 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403614
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403614