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Effects of scopolamine parenteral administration on the electroretinogram, visual evoked potentials, and quantitative electroencephalogram of healthy volunteers

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Abstract

Single intramuscular doses of scopolamine and matching placebo were administered to young, healthy, and emmetropic volunteers. Electroretinograms and visual evoked potentials (flash and pattern stimuli) were recorded prior to and 30, 90, and 120 min after administration. The effects of scopolamine at the central nervous system level were monitored also by quantitative electroencephalographic methods. Scopolamine reduced the peak-to-peak amplitude of the late components of the flash-evoked potential without affecting latencies. A decrease of the N75 latency and increment of N175 latency of pattern-evoked potentials were observed without any apparent modification of the amplitude values. These changes were not produced by administering topical cyclopentholate. Electroencephalographic effects were apparent with a longer delay after administration than were those on the visual evoked potentials. No significant modification was observed in the electroretinogram under these recording conditions.

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Sannita, W.G., Fioretto, M., Maggi, L. et al. Effects of scopolamine parenteral administration on the electroretinogram, visual evoked potentials, and quantitative electroencephalogram of healthy volunteers. Doc Ophthalmol 67, 379–388 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00143956

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