Comparative effects of conventional B-blockers and nebivolol on psychomotor performances in healthy volunteers: a preliminary report.

Author(s): Kumar A, Khajuria V, Tandon VR, Kapoor B, Singh R

Affiliation(s): Post Graduate Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Government Medical College, Jammu.

Publication date & source: 2007-04, Indian J Physiol Pharmacol., 51(2):183-8.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

The present study was under taken to assess the comparative effects of nebivolol with propranolol and atenolol on psychomotor performances. Thirty healthy volunteers were randomized into three groups with n=10 in each group. Each subject received single dose of one of the three medications (nebivolol 5 mg, atenolol 50 mg and propranolol 40 mg) in morning (9:00 AM). Just before administering the drug, the pre-drug scores were taken, followed by post drug score obtained for consecutive six hours. Psychomotor assessment was carried out by three tests Simple Reaction Timer (SRT), Critical Flicker Fusion Frequent Threshold (CFFT) and Digit Cancellation Test (DCT). The results of present study indicate that single doses of atenolol and propranolol produced significant impairment of psychomotor performance. Nebivolol also impaired psychomotor performance tests in the similar fashion to atenolol and propranolol. Hence, the findings of the present study correlate with the lipophilic nature of the nebivolol.