Application of critical flicker fusion frequency and oculomotor measures in the evaluation of drug effects on central functions

Objective To review the researches on the application of critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) and oculomotor measures in the evaluation of drug effects on central functions.Literature resource and selection Relevant articles and monographs published in China and abroad.Literature quotation Seventy-six published references (73 papers and 3 monographs) were cited.Literature synthesis The research advances on the application of CFF and oculomotor measures in the evaluation of drug effects on central functions were reviewed.CFF measure was a simple and convenient method for central vigilance and fatigue evaluation.The main indices or parameters of oculomotor responsive measures were initial pupil diameter or area,constriction latency of pupil to light flash,amplitude of pupil constriction to light flash,saccadic velocity,saccadic amplitude,etc..Many studies at home and abroad showed that CFF and oculomotor responsive measures could be used for evaluating the central effects of following drugs:sedative hypnotics,histamine H1 receptor antagonists,antidepressants,central stimulants,alcohol,opiates and so on.Saccadic velocity was a sensitive index for assessing the sedative effects of these drugs.Pupil measures could be used for evaluating the awaking action of drug and its effects on autonomic nerve function,and were also sensitive to the central effects of alcohol and opiates.Conclusions CFF and oculomotor response measures have been widely applied in the evaluation of the central effects of different kinds of drugs and the medication safety for special population. Key words: Flicker fusion;  Pharmaceutical preparations;  Central nervous system;  Review literature;  Oculomotor responses