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Hayley AC, Shiferaw B, Aitken B, Rositano J, Downey LA. Acute methamphetamine and alcohol usage alters gaze behaviour during driving: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Psychopharmacol 2024; 38:636-646. [PMID: 39068640 PMCID: PMC11290035 DOI: 10.1177/02698811241261024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methamphetamine is frequently co-consumed with alcohol, yet combined effects on visually guided behaviours have not been experimentally assessed. This study examined whether methamphetamine and alcohol-induced changes in gaze behaviour can be accurately detected and indexed during a simulated driving task to establish characteristic patterns relevant to traffic safety. METHODS In a randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over study design, the effects of acute oral methamphetamine (0.42 mg/kg) were assessed with and without low doses of alcohol (target 0.04% blood alcohol content) on gaze behaviour during driving. Twenty healthy adults (mean age 29.5 years (SD ± 4.9), 40% female) completed four, 1-h simulated drives with simultaneous eye monitoring using the SensoMotoric Instruments cap-mounted eye tracker over a 4-week experimental paradigm. Gaze entropy measures were used to quantify visual scanning efficiency, expressed as gaze transition entropy and stationary gaze entropy. Fixations, recorded as duration (milliseconds, ms) and rate (count) per minute, were examined in 10-min bins over the duration of the drive. Driving performance was assessed by the standard deviation of lateral position, standard deviation of speed and steering variability. RESULTS Methamphetamine increased the rate and duration of fixations and produced a less dispersed but more disorganised pattern of gaze during highway driving while preserving performance. Alcohol alone impaired both oculomotor control and driving performance, even when consumed at levels well below the legal limit stipulated in many international jurisdictions. CONCLUSIONS Methamphetamine-affected drivers display inefficient exploration in a limited visual range during driving. Eye-tracking metrics thus show potential for indexing intoxication due to psychoactive substance usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amie C Hayley
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- International Council for Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety
| | - Brook Shiferaw
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - Blair Aitken
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Luke A Downey
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Aitken B, Hayley AC, Ford TC, Geier L, Shiferaw BA, Downey LA. Driving impairment and altered ocular activity under the effects of alprazolam and alcohol: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 251:110919. [PMID: 37611483 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alprazolam, also known by trade-name Xanax, is regularly detected along with alcohol in blood samples of drivers injured or killed in traffic collisions. While their co-consumption is principally legal, policy guidelines concerning fitness-to-drive are lacking and methods to index impairment are underdeveloped. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, we examined whether legally permissible levels of alcohol [target 0.04% blood alcohol concentration (BAC)], alprazolam (1mg), and their combination impacts driving performance, and whether driving impairment can be indexed by ocular activity. Participants completed a test battery consisting of a 40-minute simulated highway drive with ocular parameters assessed simultaneously, the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, and a confidence to drive assessment following four separate treatment combinations. The predictive efficacy of ocular parameters to identify alcohol and alprazolam-related driving impairment was also examined. RESULTS Among 21 healthy, fully licensed drivers (37% female, mean age 28.43, SD ± 3.96), driving performance was significantly impacted by alprazolam, alcohol, and their combination. Linear regression models revealed that the odds of an out-of-lane event occurring increased five-fold under the influence alprazolam alone and when combined with alcohol. An increase in gaze transition entropy (GTE) demonstrated the strongest association with the odds of an out-of-lane event occurring in the same minute, with both microsleeps and fixation rate achieving moderate accuracy across treatments. CONCLUSIONS Alprazolam and alcohol, alone and in combination, impaired select aspects of vehicle control over time. GTE, microsleeps, and fixation rate show potential as real-time indicators of driving impairment and crash risk associated with alcohol and alprazolam consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blair Aitken
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amie C Hayley
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia; Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS), Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Talitha C Ford
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia; Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lauren Geier
- Forensic Science South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Brook A Shiferaw
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia; Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS), Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia; Seeing Machines, Fyshwick, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia
| | - Luke A Downey
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia; Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS), Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
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Effects of psychotropic drugs on ocular parameters relevant to traffic safety: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104831. [PMID: 35995080 PMCID: PMC10067018 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Driving is a complex neurobehavioural task necessitating the rapid selection, uptake, and processing of visual information. Eye movements that are critical for the execution of visually guided behaviour such as driving are also sensitive to the effects of psychotropic substances. The Embase (via Ovid), EBSCOHost, Psynet, Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were examined from January 01st, 2000 to December 31st, 2021. Study selection, data extraction and Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB2) assessments were conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. The review was prospectively registered (CRD42021267554). In total, 36 full-text articles examined the effects of six principal psychotropic drug classes on measures of oculomotor parameters relevant to driving. Centrally depressing substances affect oculomotor responses in a dose-dependent manner. Psychostimulants improve maximal speed, but not accuracy, of visual search behaviours. Inhaled Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) increases inattention (saccadic inaccuracy) but does not consistently affect other oculomotor parameters. Alterations to composite ocular parameters due to psychoactive substance usage likely differently compromises performance precision during driving through impaired ability to select and process dynamic visual information.
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Mahjoob M, Heydarian S. Long-term effects of methamphetamine abuse on visual evoked potentials. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2022; 42:1187-1192. [PMID: 36097683 DOI: 10.1111/opo.13048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare visual evoked potential (VEP) components in normal individuals and those with long-term methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine use. METHODS In this study, monocular pattern-reversal VEPs were recorded in 40 methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine users and 38 normal individuals. Visual stimuli were high-contrast (99%) checkerboard patterns at 15 and 60 min of arc with a reversal rate of 1.53 reversals per second. RESULTS A significant difference was seen between the two groups for the P100 peak time for the 60 min of arc checks (p = 0.002, d = 0.75, 4.61% higher peak time in the addicted group) and the 15 min of arc checks (p = 0.004, d = 0.73, 4.78% higher peak time in the addicted group). However, other VEP components were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS The higher P100 peak time at both 15 and 60 min of arc in methamphetamine-dependent users reveals that VEPs are highly sensitive for the diagnosis of retinal and visual pathway lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monireh Mahjoob
- Department of Optometry, Rehabilitation Faculty, Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Samira Heydarian
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Arkell TR, Bradshaw K, Downey LA, Hayley AC. Acute effects of amphetamine and related psychostimulants on impulsivity: a systematic review of clinical trials. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13128. [PMID: 35229937 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Evidence for acute amphetamine effects on behavioural impulsivity in healthy populations remains elusive and, at times, mixed. This review collates and reviews the clinical literature on the acute effects of amphetamines on measures of behavioural impulsivity in healthy adults. Randomised and placebo-controlled clinical trials that assessed behavioural impulsivity following the administration of an acute dose of amphetamine or a related psychostimulant (including amphetamine analogues and methylphenidate) were eligible for inclusion. The EBSCOHost, SCOPUS, PsychNet, Web of Science and ProQuest databases were searched from inception to 26 April 2021. Study selection, data extraction and the Cochrane risk of bias assessments were conducted by two independent reviewers. Reporting follows PRISMA guidelines, and the review was registered a priori on the PROSPERO database (Registration No: CRD42021249861). A total of 20 studies were included, comprising a total of 737 participants. Overall, results indicate that low-moderate doses of amphetamine and related psychostimulants may improve (i.e., reduce) impulsive responding without compromising performance, reflecting enhanced inhibitory control of behaviour. These effects are mild and appear most pronounced in individuals with high baseline impulsivity. This review highlights the need for greater consistency in behavioural task selection and future high-quality and well-designed studies to address current concerns around growing prescription psychostimulant use and misuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R. Arkell
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Kristina Bradshaw
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Luke A. Downey
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep Austin Hospital Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Amie C. Hayley
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep Austin Hospital Melbourne Victoria Australia
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Arkell TR, Hayley AC, Downey LA. Managing the high: developing legislation and detection methods for cannabis impairment. Nat Rev Neurosci 2021; 22:584. [PMID: 34285406 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-021-00500-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Arkell
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amie C Hayley
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Luke A Downey
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Hayley AC, Shiferaw B, Aitken B, Vinckenbosch F, Brown TL, Downey LA. Driver monitoring systems (DMS): The future of impaired driving management? TRAFFIC INJURY PREVENTION 2021; 22:313-317. [PMID: 33829941 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2021.1899164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Driver monitoring systems (DMS) are the next generation of vehicle safety technology. Broadly, these refer to the embedded, aftermarket wearable or vehicle-mounted devices that collect observable information about the operator to make real-time assessment of their capacity to perform the driving task. Integrating biobehavioral monitoring (primarily ocular metrics) with driving performance assessments, these systems function to infer driver state in real time to identify operator conditions that negatively affect driving (such as fatigue, inattention, or distraction). METHOD We review available methods used to infer driver state, as referenced against accepted models for optimal performance. Modeling our observations on deviation from predetermined performance thresholds used to trigger graded safety alerts, we suggest that many psychoactive substances produce alterations to biobehavioral processes including attentional and motor control, which affect performance indices in a manner already arguably captured by these technologies. RESULTS Using these existing frameworks, there is considerable potential to similarly catalogue the effect of many common intoxicants known to negatively affect driving ability. This will provide safety-relevant and practical biological models for the development of next-generation multimodal DMS that integrate ocular and physiological variables sensitive to the effects of common and emergent psychoactive substances. CONCLUSION These devices have tangible potential application across all areas of transportation, including aviation, rail, and all commercial and private vehicle systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amie C Hayley
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Brook Shiferaw
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
- Human Factors, Seeing Machines, Fyshwick, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Blair Aitken
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Frederick Vinckenbosch
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy L Brown
- The National Advanced Driving Simulator, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Luke A Downey
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
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