Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Stimulant drugs and vigilance performance: a review

  • Review
  • Published:
Psychopharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The literature on the effects of some stimulant drugs (amphetamine, methylphenidate, caffeine, and nicotine) on vigilance performance is reviewed. Improvement of overall level of performance (both accuracy and speed) after the intake of amphetamine, caffeine, and nicotine has often been reported, and the decrement in performance with time has been shown to be prevented especially with amphetamine and nicotine. Effects on false alarms are negligible. In studies where a test battery was employed, vigilance tasks appeared to be the most sensitive performance tests in detecting the effects of stimulants; however, different vigilance tasks may measure different aspects of mental functions. There is no support for earlier conclusions that improvements are noticed only in fatigued subjects in protracted sessions. Evidence from several studies does not support the hypothesis that improvements are only a recovery of withdrawal-induced impairment. Because positive effects have been obtained with drugs possessing different mechanisms of action, there is as yet no clear support for a noradrenergic, dopaminergic, or cholinergic theory of sustained attention. Simple neurotransmitter theories of attention and information processing may be untenable.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aman MG, Vamos M, Werry JS (1984) Effects of methylphenidate in normal adults with reference to drug action in hyperactivity. Aust NZ J Psychiatry 18:86–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker WJ, Theologus GC (1972) Effects of caffeine on visual monitoring. J Appl Psychol 56:422–427

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartel P, Delport R, Lotz B, Ubbink J, Becker P (1992) Effects of single and repeated doses of theophylline on aspects of performance, electrophysiology and subjective assessments in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology 106:90–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Bättig K, Buzzi R (1986) Effect of coffee on the speed of subject-paced information processing. Neuropsychobiology 16:126–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Benowitz NL (1988) Pharmacologic aspects of cigarette smoking and nicotine addiction. N Eng J Med 319:1318–1330

    Google Scholar 

  • Borland RG, Rogers AS, Nicholson AN, Pascoe PA, Spencer MB (1986) Performance overnight in shiftworkers operating a day-night schedule. Aviat Space Environ Med 57:241–249

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruce M, Scott N, Lader M, Marks V (1986) The psychopharma-cological and electrophysiological effects of single doses of caffeine in healthy human subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol 22:81–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Bye C, Munro-Faure AD, Peck AW, Young PA (1973) A comparison of the effects of 1-benzylpiperazine and dexamphetamine on human performance tests. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 6:163–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Callaway E, Halliday R, Naylor H (1992) Cholinergic activity and constraints on information processing. Biol Psychol 33:1–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Clubley M, Bye CE, Henson TA, Peck AW, Riddington CJ (1979) Effects of caffeine and cyclizine alone and in combination on human performance, subjective effects and EEG activity. Br J Clin Pharmacol 7:157–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Coons HW, Peloquin LJ, Klorman R, Bauer LO, Ryan RM, Perlmutter RA, Salzman LF (1981) Effect of methylphenidate on young adults' vigilance and event-related potentials. EEG Clin Neurophysiol 51:373–387

    Google Scholar 

  • Dews PB (1984) Behavioral effects of caffeine. In: Dews PB (ed) Caffeine; perspectives from recent research. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 86–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards JA, Wesnes K, Warburton DM, Gale A (1985) Evidence of more rapid stimulus evaluation following cigarette smoking. Addict Behav 10:113–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagan D, Swift CG, Tiplady B (1988) Effects of caffeine on vigilance and other performance tests in normal subjects. J Psychopharmacol 2:19–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankenhaeuser M, Myrsten A-L, Post B, Johansson G (1971) Behavioral and physiological effects of cigarette smoking in a monotonous situation. Psychopharmacology 22:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Frewer LJ, Lader M (1991) The effects of caffeine on two computerized tests of attention and vigilance. Hum Psychopharmacol 6:119–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Halliday R, Callaway E, Naylor H, Brandeis D, Yano L (1989) The comparative effects ofd-amphetamine and noradrenergic drugs on human information processing. Psychophysiology 26 [Suppl 4A]:S30 Abstract

  • Halliday R, Le Houezec J, Benowitz N, Naylor H, Yano L, Herzig K, Callaway E (1992) Nicotine speeds RT and P3 in non-smokers. Psychophysiology 29 [Suppl 4A]:S36 Abstract

  • Hamilton MJ, Smith PR, Peck AW (1983) Effects of bupropion, nomifensine and dexamphetamine on performance, subjective feelings, autonomic variables and electroencephalogram in healthy volunteers. Br J Clin Pharmacol 15:367–374

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasenfratz M, Michel C, Nil R, Bättig K (1989a) Can smoking increase attention in rapid information processing during noise? Electrocortical, physiological and behavioral effects. Psychopharmacology 98:75–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasenfratz M, Pfiffner D, Pellaud K, Bättig K (1989b) Postlunch smoking for pleasure seeking or arousal maintenance? Pharmacol Biochem Behav 34:631–639

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasenfratz M, Jaquet F, Aesbach D, Bättig K (1991) Interactions of smoking and lunch with the effects of caffeine on cardiovascular functions and information processing. Hum Psychopharmacol 6:277–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatsukami D, Fletcher L, Morgan S, Keenan R, Amble P (1989) The effects of varying cigarette deprivation duration on cognitive and performance tasks. J Subst Abuse 1:407–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Hauty GT, Payne RB (1955) Mitigation of work decrement. J Exp Psychol 49:60–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Haward LRC (1965) Drug-induced fatigue decrement in air traffic control. Percept Mot Skills 20:952

    Google Scholar 

  • Heimstra NW, Bancroft NR, DeKock AR (1967) Effects of smoking upon sustained performance in a simulated driving task. Ann NY Acad Sci 142:295–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Hink RF, Fenton WH, Tinklenberg JR, Pfefferbaum A, Kopell BS (1978) Vigilance and human attention under conditions of methylphenidate and secobarbital intoxication: an assessment using brain potentials. Psychophysiology 15:116–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes JR, Keenan RM, Yellin A (1989) Effect of tobacco with-drawal on sustained attention. Addict Behav 14:577–580

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvik ME, Caskey NH, Rose JE, Herskovic JE, Sadeghpour M (1989) Anxiolytic effects of smoking associated with four stressors. Addict Behav 14:379–386

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones GMM, Sahakian BJ, Levy R, Warburton DM, Gray JA (1992) Effects of acute subcutaneous nicotine on attention, information processing and short-term memory in Alzheimer's disease. Psychopharmacology 108:485–494

    Google Scholar 

  • Keenan RM, Hatsukami DK, Anton DJ (1989) The effects of short-term smokeless tobacco deprivation on performance. Psychopharmacology 98:126–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Keister ME, McLaughlin RJ (1972) Vigilance performance related to extraversion-introversion and caffeine. J Exp Res Pers 6:5–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerr JS, Sherwood N, Hindmarch I (1991) Separate and combined effects of the social drugs on psychomotor performance. Psychopharmacology 104:113–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Knott VJ, Griffiths L (1992) Day-long smoking deprivation: mood, performance and EEG/ERP comparisons with smoking and non-smoking controls. Psychophysiology 29 [Suppl 4A]:S45 Abstract

  • Koelega HS (1989) Benzodiazepines and vigilance performance: a review. Psychopharmacology 98:145–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Koelega HS (1992) Extraversion and vigilance performance: 30 years of inconsistencies. Psychol Bull 112:239–258

    Google Scholar 

  • Koelega HS (1993) Sustained attention. In: Neumann O, Sanders AF (eds) Attention. Handbook of Perception and Action, vol. 3. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Koelega HS, Brinkman J-A, Hendriks L, Verbaten MN (1989) Processing demands, effort, and individual differences in four different vigilance tasks. Hum Fact 31:45–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Koelega HS, Verbaten MN, van Leeuwen TH, Kenemans JL, Kemner C, Sjouw W (1992) Time effects on event-related brain potentials and vigilance performance. Biol Psychol 34:59–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Kornetsky C, Mirsky AF, Kessler EK, Dorff JE (1959) The effects of dextro-amphetamine on behavioral deficits produced by sleep loss in humans. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 127:46–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Kožená L, Frantik E, Horváth M (1986) The effect on vigilance of an analgesic combination (Ataralgin) and its components, guaiphenesine and caffeine. Activ Nerv Super 28:153–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozlowski LT (1976) Effects of caffeine consumption on nicotine consumption. Psychopharmacology 47:165–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuznicki JT, Turner LS (1986) The effects of caffeine on caffeine users and non-users. Physiol Behav 37:397–408

    Google Scholar 

  • Leigh G, Tong JE, Campbell JA (1977) Effects of ethanol and tobacco on divided attention. J Stud Alcohol 38:1233–1239

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman HR, Wurtman RJ, Emde GG, Coviella ILG (1987a) The effects of caffeine and aspirin on mood and performance. J Clin Psychopharmacol 7:315–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman HR, Wurtman RJ, Emde GG, Roberts C, Coviella ILG (1987b) The effects of low doses of caffeine on human performance and mood. Psychopharmacology 92:308–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeb M, Hawkes GR, Evans WO, Alluisi EA (1965) The influence ofd-amphetamine, benactyzine, and chlorpromazine on performance in an auditory vigilance task. Psychon Sci 3:29–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Loke WH, Meliska CJ (1984) Effects of caffeine use and ingestion on a protracted visual vigilance task. Psychopharmacology 84:54–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyon RJ, Tong JE, Leigh G, Clare G (1975) The influence of alcohol and tobacco on the components of choice reaction time. J Stud Alcohol 36:587–596

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackworth NH (1950) Researches on the measurement of human performance. Med Res Council Spec Rep Ser 268. HMSO, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackworth JF (1965) The effect of amphetamine on the detectability of signals in a vigilance task. Can J Psychol 19:104–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Mangan GL (1982) The effects of cigarette smoking on vigilance performance. J Gen Psychol 106:77–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Michel Ch, Bättig K (1989) Separate and combined psychophysiological effects of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Psychopharmacology 97:65–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Michel Ch, Nil R, Buzzi R, Woodson PP, Bättig K (1987) Rapid information processing and concomitant event-related brain potentials in smokers differing in CO absorption. Neuropsychobiology 17:161–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Michel Ch, Hasenfratz M, Nil R, Bättig K (1988) Cardiovascular, electrocortical, and behavioral effects of nicotine chewing gum. Klin Wochenschr (Suppl XI) 66:72–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris H, Gale A (1988) Smoking and vigilance: a critical appraisal of research. In: Leonard JP (ed) Vigilance: methods, models and regulation. Lang, Frankfurt, pp 227–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Myrsten A-L, Andersson K, Frankenhaeuser M, Elgerot A (1975) Immediate effects of cigarette smoking as related to different smoking habits. Percept Mot Skills 40:515–523

    Google Scholar 

  • Neal GL, Pearson RG (1966) Comparative effects of age, sex, and drugs upon two tasks of auditory vigilance. Percept Mot Skills 23:967–974

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson AN, Stone BM, Jones SJ (1984) Studies on the possible central effects in man of a neuropeptide (ACTH 4–9 analogue). Eur J Clin Pharmacol 27:561–565

    Google Scholar 

  • Nil R, Woodson PP, Michel Ch, Bättig K (1988) Effects of smoking on mental performance and vegetative functions in high and low CO absorbing smokers. Klin Wochenschr 66 (Suppl XI):66–71

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Hanlon JF, Fussler C, Sancin E, Grandjean EP (1978) Efficacy of an ACTH 4–9 analog, relative to that of a standard drug (d-amphetamine), for blocking the “vigilance decrement” in men. Rep Organon Int Netherlands

  • Parrott AC (1991a) Performance tests in human psychopharmacology (1): test reliability and standardization. Hum Psychopharmacol 6:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Parrott AC (1991b) Performance tests in human psychopharmacology (2): content validity, criterion validity, and face validity. Hum Psychopharmacol 6:91–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Parrott AC (1991c) Performance tests in human psychopharmacology (3): construct validity and test interpretation. Hum Psychopharmacol 6:197–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Parrott AC, Craig D (1992) Cigarette smoking and nicotine gum (0, 2 and 4 mg): effects upon four visual attention tasks. Neuropsychobiology 25:34–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Parrott AC, Winder G (1989) Nicotine chewing gum (2 mg, 4 mg) and cigarette smoking: comparative effects upon vigilance and heart rate. Psychopharmacology 97:257–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons WD, Neims AH (1978) Effect of smoking on caffeine clearance. Clin Pharmacol Ther 24:40–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne RB, Hauty GT (1954) The effects of experimentally induced attitudes upon task proficiency. J Exp Psychol 47:267–273

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne RB, Hauty GT (1955) Effect of psychological feedback upon work decrement. J Exp Psychol 50:343–351

    Google Scholar 

  • Peck AW, Bye CE, Clubley M, Henson T, Riddington C (1979) A comparison of bupropion hydrochloride with dexamphetamine and amitriptyline in healthy subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol 7:469–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Petrie RXA, Deary IJ (1989) Smoking and human information processing. Psychopharmacology 99:393–396

    Google Scholar 

  • Posner MI, Petersen SE (1990) The attention system of the human brain. Ann Rev Neurosci 13:25–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Pribram KH, McGuinness D (1975) Arousal, activation, and effort in the control of attention. Psychol Rev 82:116–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard WS, Robinson JH, Guy TD (1992) Enhancement of continuous performance task reaction time by smoking in non-deprived smokers. Psychopharmacology 108:437–442

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapoport JL, Buchsbaum MS, Weingartner H, Zahn TP, Ludlow C, Mikkelsen EJ (1980) Dextroamphetamine; its cognitive and behavioral effects in normal and hyperactive boys and normal men. Arch Gen Psychiatry 37:933–943

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapoport JL, Jensvold M, Elkins R, Buchsbaum MS, Weingartner H, Ludlow C, Zahn TP, Berg CJ, Neims AH (1981) Behavioral and cognitive effects of caffeine in boys and adult males. J Nerv Ment Dis 169:726–732

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratliff-Crain J, O'Keeffe MK, Baum A (1989) Cardiovascular reactivity, mood and task performance in deprived and nondeprived coffee drinkers. Health Psychol 8:427–447

    Google Scholar 

  • Regina EG, Smith GM, Keiper CG, McKelvey RK (1974) Effects of caffeine on alertness in simulated automobile driving. J Appl Psychol 59:483–489

    Google Scholar 

  • Revell AD (1988) Smoking and performance — a puff-by-puff analysis. Psychopharmacology 96:563–565

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers AS, Spencer MB, Stone BM, Nicholson AN (1989) The influence of a 1 h nap on performance overnight. Ergonomics 32:1193–1205

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenthal L, Roehrs T, Zwyghuizen-Doorenbos A, Plath D, Roth T (1991) Alerting effects of caffeine after normal and restricted sleep. Neuropsychopharmacology 4:103–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Sahakian B, Jones G, Levy R, Gray J, Warburton D (1989) The effects of nicotine on attention, information processing, and short-term memory in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer Type. Br J Psychiatry 154:797–800

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith AP, Rusted JM, Eaton-Williams P, Savory M, Leathwood P (1990) Effects of caffeine given before and after lunch on sustained attention. Neuropsychobiology 23:160–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Snyder FR, Henningfield JE (1989) Effects of nicotine administration following 12 h of tobacco deprivation: assessment on computerized performance tasks. Psychopharmacology 97:17–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Solandt DY, Partridge RC (1946) Research on auditory problems presented by naval operations. J Can Med Serv 3:323–329

    Google Scholar 

  • Spiegel R (1978) Effects of amphetamines on performance and on polygraphic sleep parameters in man. Adv Biosci 21:189–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Stolerman IP (1987) Psychopharmacology of nicotine: stimulus effects and receptor mechanisms. In: Iversen LL, Iversen SD, Snyder SH (eds) Handbook of psychopharmacology, vol 19. Plenum Press, New York, pp 421–465

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss J, Lewis JL, Klorman R, Peloquin LJ, Perlmutter RA, Salzman LF (1984) Effects of methylphenidate on young adults' performance and event-related potentials in a vigilance and a paired-associates learning test. Psychophysiology 21:609–621

    Google Scholar 

  • Swift CG, Tiplady B (1988) The effects of age on the response to caffeine. Psychopharmacology 94:29–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Talland GA (1966) Improvement of sustained attention with Cylert. Psychon Sci 6:493–494

    Google Scholar 

  • Talland GA, Quarton GC (1966) The effects of drugs and familiarity on performance in continuous visual search. J Nerv Ment Dis 143:266–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarrière C, Hartemann F (1964) Investigation into the effects of tobacco smoke on a visual vigilance task. Proc Second Int Congr Ergonomics Suppl, pp 525–530

  • Timmerman W (1992) Dopaminergic receptor agents and the basal ganglia: pharmacological properties and interactions with the GABA-ergic system. PhD thesis, University of Groningen, the Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiplady B (1992a) Continuous attention: rationale and discriminant validation of a test designed for use in psychopharmacology. Behav Res Methods Instrum Comp 24:16–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiplady B (1992b) Reliability and sensitivity of performance tests in human psychopharmacology. Hum Psychopharmacol 7:139–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiplady B, Fagan D, Lamont M, Brockway M, Scott DB (1990) A comparison of the CNS effects of enprofylline and theophylline in healthy subjects assessed by performance testing and subjective measures. Br J Clin Pharmacol 30:55–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Tong JE, Knott VJ, McGraw DJ, Leigh G (1974) Alcohol, visual discrimination and heart rate. Q J Stud Alcohol 35:1003–1022

    Google Scholar 

  • Tong JE, Leigh G, Campbell J, Smith D (1977) Tobacco smoking, personality and sex factors in auditory vigilance performance. Br J Psychol 68:365–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Tong JE, Henderson PR, Chipperfield BGA (1980) Effects of ethanol and tobacco on auditory vigilance performance. Addict Behav 5:153–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Townsend AM, Mirsky AF (1960) A comparison of the effects of meprobamate, phenobarbital andd-amphetamine on two psychological tests. J Nerv Ment Dis 130:212–216

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker DM, Williamson PA (1984) Asymmetric neural control systems in human self-regulation. Psychol Rev 91:185–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Warburton DM (1992a) Nicotine issues. Psychopharmacology 108:393–396

    Google Scholar 

  • Warburton DM (1992b) Nicotine as a cognitive enhancer. Progr Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 16:181–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Warburton DM, Wesnes K (1978) Individual differences in smoking and attentional performance. In: Thornton RE (ed) Smoking behaviour. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, pp 19–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Warburton DM, Wesnes K (1984) Drugs as research tools in psychology: cholinergic drugs and information processing. Neuropsychobiology 11:121–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiner H, Ross S (1962) The effects of “unwanted” signals andd-amphetamine sulfate on observer responses. J Appl Psychol 46:135–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiss B, Laties VG (1962) Enhancement of human performance by caffeine and the amphetamines. Pharmacol Rev 14:1–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Wesnes K, Revell A (1984) The separate and combined effects of scopolamine and nicotine on human information processing. Psychopharmacology 84:5–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Wesnes K, Warburton DM (1978) The effects of cigarette smoking and nicotine tablets upon human attention. In: Thornton RE (ed) Smoking behaviour: physiological and psychological influences. Churchill-Livingston, London, pp 131–147

    Google Scholar 

  • Wesnes K, Warburton DM (1983) Effects of smoking on rapid information processing performance. Neuropsychobiology 9:223–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Wesnes K, Warburton DM (1984a) Effects of scopolamine and nicotine on human rapid information processing performance. Psychopharmacology 82:147–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Wesnes K, Warburton DM (1984b) The effects of cigarettes of varying yield on rapid information processing performance. Psychopharmacology 82:338–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Wesnes K, Warburton DM, Matz B (1983) Effects of nicotine on stimulus sensitivity and response bias in a visual vigilance task. Neuropsychobiology 9:41–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Yellin AM (1980) A standard visual stimulus for use in studies on attention-deficit disorders: toward the development of standardized sustained and selective attention tests. Res Commun Psychol Psychiatr Behav 5:137–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu G, Maskray V, Jackson SHD, Swift CG Tiplady B (1991) A comparison of the central nervous system effects of caffeine and theophylline in elderly subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol 32:341–345

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwyghuizen-Doorenbos A, Roehrs TA, Lipschutz L, Timms V, Roth T (1990) Effects of caffeine on alertness. Psychopharmacology 100:36–39

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychopharmacology and Psychological Laboratory, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, NL-3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    H. S. Koelega

Authors
  1. H. S. Koelega
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Koelega, H.S. Stimulant drugs and vigilance performance: a review. Psychopharmacology 111, 1–16 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02257400

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02257400

Key words

Search

Navigation