Abstract
Physostigmine was given intravenously to a total dose of 3 mg to 13 subjects; a placebo of 0.25 N saline was given intravenously to 10 other subjects; both groups received 1 mg of methscopolamine bromide subcutaneously preceding the intravenous infusions. A “physostigmine syndrome” consisting of decreased speech, slowed thoughts, mild sedation, expressionless faces, nausea, and decreased spontaneous activity was evident following doses of 1.5 to 2.0 mg of physostigmine. The capacity of short-term memory (STM) as measured by digit span tasks was significantly less for the subjects who received physostigmine than for the subjects who received placebo. No difference was observed between the two groups on tasks of consolidation from STM to long-term memory (LTM).
Subiects who received physostigmine did not significantly differ from subjects who received placebo in their mood. However, two subjects in the physostigmine group, and no subjects in the saline group became tearful and depressed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atkinson, R. C., Shiffrin, R. M.: The control of short-term memory. Sci. Amer. 225, 82–90 (1971)
Bunney, W. E., Jr., Hamburg, D. A.: Methods for reliable longitudinal observation of behavior. Arch. gen. Psychiat. 9, 280–294 (1963)
Carroll, B. J., Frazer, A., Schless, A., Mendels, J.: Cholinergic reversal of manic symptoms. Lancet 1973I, 427–428
Dawson, R. S., McGaugh, J. L.: The physiological basis of memory, J. A. Deutsch, ed., pp. 77–111. New York: Academic Press 1973
Deutsch, J. A.: The cholinergic synapse and the site of memory. Science 174, 788–794 (1971)
Deutsch, J. A.: The physiological basis of memory, J. A. Deutsch, ed., pp. 59–78. New York: Academic Press 1973
Drachman, D. A., Leavitt, J.: Human memory and the cholinergic system. Arch. Neurol. (Chic.) 30, 113–122 (1974)
Gershon, S., Shaw, F. H.: Psychiatric sequalae of chronic exposure to organo-phosphorus insecticides. Lancet 1961I, 1371–1374
Gilbert, J. G., Levee, R. F., Catalaro, F. C.: A preliminary report on a new memory scale. Percept. Motor Skills 27, 277–278 (1968)
Isaacs, B., Kennle, A. T.: The set test as an aid to the detection of dementia in old people. Brit. J. Psychol. 123, 467–470 (1973)
Janowsky, D. S., El-Yousef, M. K., Davis, J. M.: Parasympathetic suppression of manic symptoms by physostigmine. Arch. gen. Psychiat. 28, 542–547 (1973)
Kesner, R.: A neural system analysis of memory storage and retrieval. Psychol. Bull. 80, 177–203 (1973)
Reitan, R. M.: Validity of the trail making test as an indicator of organic brain damage. Percept. Motor Skills 46, 339–346 (1958)
Sianska, J., Vojtechwsky, M., Votova, Z.: The influence of physostigmine on individual phases of learning in man. Activ. nerv. sup. (Praha) 14, 110 (1972)
Sternberg, D. E., Jarvik, M. E.: Memory functions in depression. Arch. gen. Psychiat. 33, 219–224 (1976)
Tulving, E., Donaldson, W.: Organization of memory. New York: Academic Press 1972
Wechsler, D.: A standardized memory scale for clinical use. J. Psychol. 19, 87–95 (1945)
Whitehead, A.: Verbal learning and memory in elderly depressives. Brit. J. Psychol. 123, 203–208 (1973)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Davis, K.L., Hollister, L.E., Overall, J. et al. Physostigmine: Effects on cognition and affect in normal subjects. Psychopharmacology 51, 23–27 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00426316
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00426316