Effect of Affective Content on Drug Induced Amnesia of Episodic Memory
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2008-08-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of this research is to understand how some of the drugs commonly used in
anesthesia impair memory. We are particularly interested in whether the emotion associated
with a memory influences how well these drugs are able to block memory. We are studying four
commonly used drugs-propofol, thiopental, midazolam, and dexmedetomidine, all of which may
have slightly differing effects. We will also study an inactive substance, called a placebo,
that should have no effect. The results of this study will provide information that will be
useful in understanding how memory works, how these drugs affect memory, and possibly why
some people don't have their memory blocked as easily as others.