[Plasma anticholinergic activity and cognitive function in geriatric patients].
This study evaluated the putative impact of circulating anticholinergic equivalents on cognitive functional performance in non-demented geropsychiatric inpatients. Standard rating instruments were administered to measure memory functions, concentration and overall functional competency. Anticholinergic plasma activity was assayed, using a radioreceptor technique with tritiated quinuclidinyl benzilate as the active reagent. None of the cognitive tests employed indicated a statistically significant change in the subjects' quantifiable level of cognitive performance. All changes in anticholinergic activities were related to adjustments in psychotherapeutic medications. The possible role of reversal of pseudodementing features is discussed as well as the potential for monitoring anticholinergic activity when treating elderly individuals with more than one centrally active medication having anticholinergic properties.
Thienhaus
O J
OJ
Psychiatrische Abteilung der Universitästsklinik, University of Cincinnati, Ohio 45267.
Thoene
J
J
Allen
A
A
Zemlan
F P
FP
D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001285:Atropine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects*; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011813:Quinuclidinyl Benzilate / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000378:metabolism; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000187:drug effects*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D011813:Quinuclidinyl Benzilate; D001285:Atropine