SUSTAINING FEMALE HELICOPTER PILOT PERFORMANCE WITH DEXEDRINE(R) DURING SLEEP-DEPRIVATION

To investigate the efficacy of Dexedrine(R) for maintaining the perfor mance of sleep deprived female aviators, 6 female UH-60 pilots were ex posed to 2 40-hr sleep deprivation periods during which they alternate ly received Dexedrine(R) (3 10-mg doses) or placebo. Dexedrine improve d 6 of 9 flight simulator maneuvers and enhanced general levels of ale rtness as measured by EEG and Profile of Mood States assessments. The results from a cognitive test were negligible and inconsistent, probab ly because of the short test duration. Overall, it appeared that Dexed rine(R) effectively sustained the performance, alertness, and mood of female UH-60 pilots despite short-term sleep loss. There were no probl ematic side effects.