Risk-taking behavior: effects of ethanol, caffeine, and basal sleepiness (original) (raw)

This study examined the effects of ethanol, caffeine, and basal sleepiness on a laboratory measure of risk-taking behavior, the Stop Light Task. The aims were to determine whether sleepiness and ethanol degrade psychomotor speed and risky choice and whether caffeine attenuates these effects. Mixed design with participants chosen for basal level of sleepiness and each assessed under 4 conditions presented in a Latin-square crossover design. Thirteen healthy adult volunteers aged 21 to 35 years. Participants received ethanol 0.5 g/kg and caffeine placebo, ethanol 0.5 g/kg and caffeine 150 mg, ethanol 0.5 g/kg and caffeine 300 mg, or a dual (ethanol-caffeine) placebo between 9:00 am and 9:30 am. The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) was used to determine basal level of sleepiness. Subjects completed the Stop Light Task about 60 to 90 minutes after drug administration to assess psychomotor speed and risky choices. Seven subjects were classified as Alert (MSLT = 12.6 +/- 2.0 minutes) an...