EFFECTS OF COCAINE ON SENSORY-MOTOR FUNCTION IN BABOONS

The effects of cocaine on auditory and visual threshold functions and reaction times were studied in baboons. Single IM injections of cocain e HCl (0.001-1.0 mg/kg) were administered once or twice weekly and wer e followed immediately by psychophysical tests designed to assess coca ine's effects on sensory thresholds and reaction times. Consistent red uctions in reaction times were observed in the cocaine dose range of 0 .032-0.32 mg/kg. Reaction times were decreased by 5-8% at the more eff ective cocaine doses. Concurrently measured auditory and visual thresh old sensitivities showed no systematic changes at any of the cocaine d oses studied.