Effects of beta blockade on driving.

During tests of driving performance and kinetic visual acuity (KVA) under the influence of antihypertensive drugs (methyldopa, propranolol, atenolol, and reserpine), a significant improvement in KVA was found with atenolol and deterioration in driving was found with methyldopa and reserpine. Further tests of subjective response using an analogue rating scale revealed an apparently clear anxiolytic effect of atenolol. This was a surprising result as this particular beta-blocking agent is said not to penetrate the brain tissue via the blood/brain barrier. Preliminary results of the effect of atenolol on sleep showed that it reduced the number of changes in level of sleep thereby making it more restful. Atenolol is, therefore, an interesting compound having obvious peripheral but no central effects, but can yet act as an anxiolytic agent and influence the quality of sleep.