A PC-BASED SOFTWARE TEST FOR MEASURING ALCOHOL AND DRUG EFFECTS IN HUMAN-SUBJECTS

A new software-based visual search and divided-attention test of cogni tive performance was developed and evaluated in an alcohol dose-respon se study with 24 human subjects aged 21-62 years. The test used langua ge-free, color, graphic displays to represent the visuospatial demands of driving. Cognitive demands were increased over previous hardware-b ased tests, and the motor skills required for the test involved minima l eye movements and eye-hand coordination. Repeated performance on the test was evaluated with a latin-square design by using a placebo and two alcohol doses, low (0.48 g/kg/LBM) and moderate (0.72 g/kg/LBM). T he data on 7 females and 17 males yielded significant failing and risi ng impairment effects coincident with moderate rising and falling brea th alcohol levels (mean peak BrALs = 0.045 g/dl and 0.079 g/dl). None of the subjects reported eye-strain or psychomotor fatigue as compared with previous tests. The high sensitivity/variance relative to use in basic and applied research, and worksite fitness-for-duty testing, wa s discussed. The most distinct advantage of a software-based test that operates on readily available PCs is that it can be widely distribute d to researchers with a common reference to compare a variety of alcoh ol and drug effects.