Short Communication Comparative Effects of Conventional B-blockers and Nebivolol on Psychomotor Performances in Healthy Volunteers : a Preliminary Report

The present study was under taken to assess the comparative e f fec t s o f neb ivo lo l wi th p roprano lo l and a teno lo l 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 a s sessment was ca r r i ed ou t by th ree t e s t s S imple Reaction Timer (SRT), Critical Flicker Fusion Frequent Threshold (CFFT) and Digit Cancellat ion Test (DCT). The results of present study indicate that single doses of atenolol and propranolol produced significant impairment of psychomotor pe r fo rmance . Neb ivo lo l a l so impa i red 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.