title: Cholinergic mechanisms in Tourette syndrome.
abstract: To examine the role of the cholinergic system in Tourette syndrome, we administered intramuscular physostigmine and scopolamine hydrobromide to 10 patients, evaluating both motor tics and involuntary vocalizations. Patients showed a consistent abatement of motor tics and exacerbation of vocal tics after scopolamine injection. The scopolamine effect was reversed by physostigmine. These data suggest that the cholinergic system plays a role in the pharmacologic pathophysiology of Tourette syndrome. The pharmacology of vocal and motor tics may differ, and cholinergic manipulation may benefit some patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D010830:Physostigmine; D012601:Scopolamine