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The effect of the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine on regional cerebral blood flow during the performance of a memory task

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Abstract

Scopolamine, a muscarinic antagonist, impairs memory performance in both humans and animals. In this study, repeated measurements of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were made in normal volunteers whilst performing auditory verbal memory tasks, before and after the administration of scopolamine (0.4 mg s.c.) or placebo. Compared to placebo, scopolamine increased blood flow in the lateral occipital cortex bilaterally and the left orbitofrontal region. Scopolamine decreased rCBF in the region of the right thalamus, the precuneus and the right and left lateral premotor areas. Scopolamine attenuated memory-task-induced increases of rCBF in the left and right prefrontal cortex and the right anterior cingulate region. These data suggest that acute blockade of cholinergic neurotransmission affects diverse brain areas, including components of the visual and motor systems, and, in addition, modulates memory task activations at distinct points in a distributed network for memory function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W12 OHS, London, UK

    P. M. Grasby, C. D. Frith, E. Paulesu, K. J. Friston, R. S. J. Frackowiak & R. J. Dolan

  2. Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine, NW3 2QG, London, UK

    P. M. Grasby & R. J. Dolan

  3. Department of Psychology, University College, WC1H OAT, London, UK

    C. D. Frith

  4. National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, WC1N 3BG, London, UK

    P. M. Grasby, K. J. Friston, R. S. J. Frackowiak & R. J. Dolan

  5. INB-CNR, Instituto Scientifico H San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

    E. Paulesu

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Grasby, P.M., Frith, C.D., Paulesu, E. et al. The effect of the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine on regional cerebral blood flow during the performance of a memory task. Exp Brain Res 104, 337–348 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00242019

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