1 The Effects of Stimulant Countermeasures on Executive
Functioning and Decision- Making During Sleep Deprivation Walter
Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) McLean Hospital, Harvard
Medical School McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School William D.
S. Killgore, Ph.D.
Slide 2
Reduced metabolic activity will lead to deficits in executive
functioning including planning, judgment, and decision-making
Modified from Thomas et al. (2000) 2 Hypotheses
Slide 3
Reduced metabolic activity will lead to deficits in executive
functioning including planning, judgment, and decision-making
Stimulants may activate these areas and reverse these deficits
Modified from Thomas et al. (2000) 3 Hypotheses
Slide 4
Reduced metabolic activity will lead to deficits in executive
functioning including planning, judgment, and decision-making
Stimulants may activate other areas involved in alertness, while
leaving prefrontal areas and associated executive functions
degraded or Stimulants may activate these areas and reverse these
deficits Modified from Thomas et al. (2000) 4 Hypotheses
Slide 5
Wed Thursday FridaySaturday Sunday 24002400 2400 2400
1200120012001200 Training Sleep 5 In-Residence Sleep Deprivation
Studies General Study Design
Slide 6
Wed Thursday FridaySaturday Sunday 24002400 2400 2400
1200120012001200 Training Sleep Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
Killgore et al., Journal of Sleep Research (2008) 6 Executive
Function Test Battery 44 HOURS Caffeine 600 mg D-AMPH 20 mg
Modafinil 400 mg Placebo 3:00 AM
Slide 7
7 Match each card to the appropriate key card: Concept
Formation, Set Shifting, & Mental Flexibility WRONG! RIGHT!
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test
Slide 8
8 Perseverative Errors (T-Score) Killgore et al., Sleep (2009)
Better Worse Modafinil significantly improved WCST performance
(i.e., reduced perseveration during sleep deprivation) relative to
other stimulants or placebo. Age Norm Wisconsin Card Sorting
Test
Slide 9
9 Planning & Sequencing Number of Moves Time to Solve Tower
of Hanoi
Slide 10
10 Number of Moves beyond Optimal Time Before Each Move Total
Time Planning & Sequencing Goal Your Tower Tower of London