The effects of dalmane (flurazepam hydrochloride) on human EEG characteristics.

Abstract The changes that occured in the waking EEGs of 6 normal subjects during the oral administration of flurazepam hydrochloride (Dalmane) were evaluated. Some of these changes were examined quantitatively with the use of a computer analysis technique. While the subjects were receiving the drug, there was an increase in the amount of beta (14–38 c/sec) activity. This increase in beta activity was maximal in fronto-central leads and was characterized by an increase in the number of waves that occurred during an EEG recording interval of fixed duration, with no consistent change in mean EEG wave length (frequency) or average wave amplitude within the beta frequency range. EEG activity in the central-occipital leads showed a reduction in the frequency of occurrence of waves in the alpha (6–14 c/sec) and theta (3–7 c/sec) ranges during flurazepam administration. There was also a small increase in the mean wave length of the alpha and theta activity in the central-occipital derivations while the subjects were taking the drug.