Effect of an ACTH 4–9 analog on human cortical evoked potentials in a constant foreperiod reaction time paradigm

Thirty male volunteers, receiving either 40 mg ACTH 4–9 analog (Org 2766) or 40 mg placebo in a double-blind setting, participated in an experiment which investigated cortical evoked potentials, slow cortical potentials, EEG power spectrum, heart rate and response speed within a constant foreperiod reaction time paradigm. EEG was recorded frontally, precentrally and parietally. Subjects receiving Org 2766 responded significantly faster than placebo controls. Larger or advanced evoked potential components, a smaller late slow wave component, a tendency for more activity in lower alpha range and more pronounced decrease in mean heart rate across trials were found in peptide subjects as compared to placebo controls. These results suggest an effect of Org 2766 on cortical processes associated with early stimulus selection and processing.