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Effects of benzodiazepines on explicit memory in a paediatric surgery setting

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Abstract

Rationale

Many laboratory-based studies indicate that benzodiazepines impair explicit memory performance, increase sedation, and impair attention.

Objectives

The present study was designed to extend prior lab-based findings to an applied setting in which the amnestic effects of benzodiazepines may be beneficial for users. In addition, the study extended the previous adult-focused research by examining the cognitive effects of benzodiazepines in children.

Methods

The present study examined the use of a specific benzodiazepine (midazolam) as a premedicant among 40 children aged 4–6 years old having ear tube (myringotomy) surgery, who were randomly assigned to receive midazolam or placebo.

Results

Consistent with previous studies, the results indicated that midazolam causes significant amnesia on a cued recall task. In addition, free recall for post-drug events were also impaired by midazolam relative to placebo, indicating that benzodiazepine-induced amnesia occurs even for highly salient information.

Conclusions

Overall, it appears that benzodiazepines do impair memory in a pediatric population. This amnesia was not secondary to the inattention and sedation also caused by midazolam administration. The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed, as are potential future studies.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a generous grant from the IWK Health Centre. We also wish to acknowledge the support and cooperation of the surgeons of the Division of Otolaryngology and of the nursing staff in the Day Surgery unit, Operating Room, and Recovery Room of the IWK Health Centre.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bedford Sackville Community Mental Health (IWK), 70 Memory Lane, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada B4C 2J3

    Susan E. Buffett-Jerrott

  2. Department of Psychology, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J1

    Sherry H. Stewart

  3. Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, IWK Health Centre, 5850 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 3G9

    G. Allen Finley

  4. 83 Vetran's Avenue, Salisbury, N.B., Canada E4J 2T1

    Heather Lee Loughlan

Authors
  1. Susan E. Buffett-Jerrott
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  2. Sherry H. Stewart
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  3. G. Allen Finley
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  4. Heather Lee Loughlan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susan E. Buffett-Jerrott.

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Buffett-Jerrott, S.E., Stewart, S.H., Finley, G.A. et al. Effects of benzodiazepines on explicit memory in a paediatric surgery setting. Psychopharmacology 168, 377–386 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-003-1429-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-003-1429-7

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