Scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment as a predictor of cognitive decline in healthy elderly volunteers: a 6-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in healthy elderly people predicts cognitive decline 6 years later.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Elderly care research unit.


METHODS
Healthy elderly people who were part of a volunteer panel of research subjects.


METHODS
Scopolamine 0.2 mg administered subcutaneously at baseline.


METHODS
Cognitive drug research computerized cognitive testing battery pre- and post-scopolamine, with repeat testing over 6 years later.


RESULTS
16/24 subjects were retested. Although marked decrements in cognitive functioning were seen with scopolamine, there was little change in performance over 6 years, and no significant association was seen between scopolamine-induced decrement and change over time.


CONCLUSIONS
The scopolamine challenge test is not likely to play a role in the preclinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
Barker
A
A
Thornhill Research Unit, Moorgreen Hospital, Southampton, UK.
Jones
R
R
Prior
J
J
Wesnes
K
K
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D019954:Neurobehavioral Manifestations / Q000187:drug effects*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D012016:Reference Values; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors
D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D012601:Scopolamine