Effects of the tetracyclic antidepressant pirlindole on sensorimotor performance and subjective condition in comparison to imipramine and during interaction of ethanol.

ABSTRACT

Two experiments were designed to investigate the side-effects on motor performance of the new tetracyclic antidepressant, pirlindole, in healthy volunteers. First, pirlindole was compared with imipramine and placebo. In the second study the interaction of pirlindole with a small amount of ethanol (0.4 g 17 vol%/kg) was analysed. Ratings of subjective feelings and measurements of sensorimotor performance (simple and choice reaction, tracking) of the pirlindole-treated group did not differ from those of the placebo group, whereas imipramine caused a change of the subjective condition to more lethargy and a greater delay of the simple reaction time. The effects of pirlindole proved to be unaffected by ethanol.