title: Effects of 2 mg and 4 mg atropine sulfate on the performance of U.S. Army helicopter pilots.
abstract: Atropine autoinjectors are issued to aviators for use in the event of organophosphate poisoning on the battlefield. This investigation assessed the effects of unchallenged 2 mg and 4 mg doses on flight performance, vision, tracking, cognitive performance, and electroencephalograms of 12 Army aviators. Effects were seen most often with the 4 mg dose in terms of aircraft control problems, vision disturbances, impaired tracking, reduced cortical activation, and decreased cognitive skill. These problems indicate helicopter tactical flight is dangerous after an unchallenged 4 mg dose. Other types of flight should also be avoided for at least 12 h after atropine.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Applications Research Division, U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, AL 36362.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000401:Aircraft; D001285:Atropine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008889:Military Personnel; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001285:Atropine