Reversal of central anticholinergic syndrome by galanthamine
A. Baraka and S. Harik
Ten volunteers were given 2 mg scopolamine intravenously (IV) to produce
substantial drowsiness and sleepiness. Galanthamine, 0.5 mg/kg IV,
effectively reversed the central anticholinergic syndrome produced by
scopolamine. Electroencephalographic monitoring of two subjects matched the
observed changes of consciousness: scopolamine replaced the dominant awake
alpha rhythm with a disorganized, slow, 4- to 6-Hz activity. Galanthamine
promptly returned to EEG pattern to the control, awake state. Galanthamine
produces effective, safe, and long-lasting reversal of the central
anticholinergic syndrome in man.
