The current deliverable D-R4.4 of the IMMORTAL project entails a series of experimental studies on the effects of licit and illicit drugs on cognition, psychomotor function and driving performance. The studies have been conducted by two research groups with strong backgrounds in Drugs and Driving research: i.e. the Experimental Psychopharmacology Unit, Brain & Behavior Institute at Maastricht University and the School of Psychology at Leeds University. The former group conducted 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on the acute effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) alone or in combination with alcohol on actual driving performance as measured in on-the-road driving tests and in laboratory tests measuring psychological functions relevant to driving: i.e. impulsivity, risk taking, psychomotor speed, tracking, motion sensitivity and memory (Study A and B). The latter group performed a single-blind, placebo controlled study on the effect of a common over–the-counter cold remedy mixture of diphenhydramine hydrochloride 25mg, paracetamol 1000mg and pseudoephedrine 45mg, on simulated driving performance and psychomotor function (Study C). Further information about IMMORTAL can be found on the website see http://www.immortal.or.at/ (Author/publisher)
Abstract