Bromazepam increases the error of the time interval judgments and modulates the EEG alpha asymmetry during time estimation

Paulo Ramiler Silva; Victor Marinho; Francisco Magalhães; Tiago Farias; Daya S Gupta; André Luiz R Barbosa; Bruna Velasques; Pedro Ribeiro; Maurício Cagy; Victor Hugo Bastos; Silmar Teixeira

doi:10.1016/j.concog.2022.103317

Bromazepam increases the error of the time interval judgments and modulates the EEG alpha asymmetry during time estimation

Conscious Cogn. 2022 Apr:100:103317. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2022.103317. Epub 2022 Mar 29.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Neuro-Innovation Technology & Brain Mapping Laboratory, Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil; Master Program in Biotechnology, Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil.
² Neuro-Innovation Technology & Brain Mapping Laboratory, Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil; The Northeast Biotechnology Network, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil. Electronic address: victormarinhophb@hotmail.com.
³ Neuro-Innovation Technology & Brain Mapping Laboratory, Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil; The Northeast Biotechnology Network, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil.
⁴ Neuro-Innovation Technology & Brain Mapping Laboratory, Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil.
⁵ College of Science and Humanities, College of Health and Pharmacy, Husson University, Bangor, USA.
⁶ Laboratory of Experimental Physiopharmacology, Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil.
⁷ Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
⁸ Brain Mapping and Functionality Laboratory, Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil.
⁹ Neuro-Innovation Technology & Brain Mapping Laboratory, Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil; Master Program in Biotechnology, Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil; The Northeast Biotechnology Network, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil.

PMID: 35364385
DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2022.103317

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the bromazepam effects in male subjects during the time estimation performance and EEG alpha asymmetry in electrodes associated with the frontal and motor cortex.

Material and methods: This is a double-blind, crossover study with a sample of 32 healthy adults under control (placebo) vs. experimental (bromazepam) during visual time-estimation task in combination with electroencephalographic analysis.

Results: The results demonstrated that the bromazepam increased the relative error in the 4 s, 7 s, and 9 s intervals (p = 0.001). In addition, oral bromazepam modulated the EEG alpha asymmetry in cortical areas during the time judgment (p ≤ 0.025).

Conclusion: The bromazepam decreases the precision of time estimation judgments and modulates the EEG alpha asymmetry, with greater left hemispheric dominance during time perception. Our findings suggest that bromazepam influences internal clock synchronization via the modulation of GABAergic receptors, strongly relating to attention, conscious perception, and behavioral performance.

Keywords: Alpha band asymmetry; Bromazepam; Electroencephalography; Time estimation.

MeSH terms

Adult
Bromazepam* / pharmacology
Cross-Over Studies
Double-Blind Method
Electroencephalography / methods
Humans
Judgment
Male
Time Perception*

Substances

Bromazepam