A COMPARISON OF THE CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL EFFECTS OF ATROPINE, SCOPOLAMINE AND SOME SYNTHETIC ATROPINE-LIKE COMPOUNDS

¹ Division of Pharmacology, Medical Units, University of Tennessee, Memphis and Research Department, Pitman-Moore Company, Indianapolis

1. The potency of atropine, scopolamine and some synthetic atropine-like compounds in producing peripheral parasympatholytic and central nervous system effects is compared.

2. None of the synthetic compounds is equivalent to atropine in potency or duration of action, in inhibiting intestinal motility in vivo.

3. The synthetic compounds are much less effective than atropine in suppressing or abolishing the pupillary reaction to light, and are comparatively more active in producing such central nervous system effects as sedation, ataxia and skeletal muscle weakness.

4. Atropine and scopolamine are qualitatively similar in their central nervous system effects, when correction is made for parasympatholytic potency.

5. The data on central anti-acetylcholine action of such agents are scrutinized and it now appears that the evidence for such effects is circumstantial.