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The Effects of Caffeine on Terminal Dark Adaptation

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Sensation and Measurement

Abstract

The lower liminal threshold for light in the fovea was observed under the administration of: (a) 6 g of caffeine and (b) 9 g of calcium lactate placebo. The time-response relationship of the drug effect was observed for 80 min after dosage. The results showed that caffeine produced a highly significant reduction in the luminance necessary for terminal threshold perception. The course of the drug induced change was a decline in threshold luminance during the first 40 to 60 min. The maximum effect for four subjects averaged 0.23 logmL. The drop in threshold was maintained (except for fluctuations) for the remainder of the 80 min test session. Cyclical fluctuations in the response occurred in both control and caffeine conditions. Caffeine also counteracted a decrement in sensitivity which occurred during the latter part of placebo sessions.

This work was supported by research grant NSF G9588 from the National Science Foundation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Simon Fraser University, Canada

    A. Leonard Diamond

  2. University of Hawaii, USA

    Esther M. Smith

Authors
  1. A. Leonard Diamond
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  2. Esther M. Smith
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Army Natick Laboratories, Natick, Massachusetts, USA, 01760

    Howard R. Moskowitz (Research Psychologist) (Research Psychologist)

  2. Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 02115

    Bertram Scharf (Professor of Psychology) (Professor of Psychology)

  3. John B. Pierce Foundation Laboratory, USA

    Joseph C. Stevens (Fellow, Research Associate and Lecturer in Psychology) (Fellow, Research Associate and Lecturer in Psychology)

  4. Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, 06519

    Joseph C. Stevens (Fellow, Research Associate and Lecturer in Psychology) (Fellow, Research Associate and Lecturer in Psychology)

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© 1974 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht-Holland

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Diamond, A.L., Smith, E.M. (1974). The Effects of Caffeine on Terminal Dark Adaptation. In: Moskowitz, H.R., Scharf, B., Stevens, J.C. (eds) Sensation and Measurement. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2245-3_33

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2245-3_33

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-2247-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-010-2245-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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