Abstract
Single cell and depth recording of CNS electrical activity in animals is a valuable technique for assessing the activity of neurotransmitters and psychopharmacologic agents. In humans, however, these invasive techniques are rarely possible. While the electrical activity of the brain can be observed from scalp electrodes, there is considerable attenuation of specificity. Nonetheless, the scalp recorded EEG has proved to be of value in the evaluation of psychoactive compounds. In general, it is reasonable to look for EEG changes accompanying the administration of agents that produce behavioral effects. The reported behavioral and affective changes induced by the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine have concomitant neurophysiologic changes which might be reflected in the EEG. Demonstration of neurophysiologic alterations caused by this compound may lead to more information about the specificity of action of physostigmine and the reflection of central cholinergic activity in the EEG.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Davis, B.M., Davis, K.L., and Berger, P.A., 1977a, Cholinergic effects on neuroendocrine function, V I World Congress of Psychiatry: Honolulu, Hawaii, August.
Davis, K.L., Hollister, L.E., Overall, J., Johnson, A., and Train, K., 1976, Physostigmine: effects on cognition and affect in normal subjects, Psychopharmacology 51:23.
Davis, K.L., Hollister, L.E., Goodwin, F.K., and Gordon, E.K., 1977b, Neurotransmitter metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid of man following physostigmine, Life Sci. 21: 933.
Davis K.L., Mohs, R.C., Tinklenberg, J.R., Pfefferbaum, A., Hollister, L.E., and Kopell, B.S., 1978, Physostigmine: improvement of long-term memory processes in normal humans
Grob, D., Harvey, A.M., Langworthy, O.R., and Lilienthal, Jr., J.L., 1947, The administration of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) to man. III. Effect on the central nervous system with special reference to the electrical activity of the brain, Bull. John Hopkins Hospital 81:251.
Karczmar, A.G., 1977, Exploitable aspects of central cholinergic functions particularly with respect to the EEG, motor, analgesic, and mental functions, in Cholinergic Mechanisms and Psychopharmacology, ( D. Jenden, ed.), Plenum Press, New York.
Lesny, I., and Vojta, V., 1960, Eserine activation of the EEG in children, Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophys. 12:142.
Matousek, M., (Ed.), 1973, Frequency and correlation analysis, Part A of Handbook of Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology (A. Remond, ed.), Volume 5: evaluation of bioelectrical data from brain, nerve and muscle, section II (M.A.B. Brazier, and D.A. Walker, eds.), p. 61, Elsevier/North Holland, Amsterdam.
Pfeiffer, C.C., Goldstein, L., Munoz, C., Murphree, H.B., and Jenny, E.H., 1963, Quantitative comparisons of the electroencephalographic stimulant effects of deanol, choline, and amphetamine, Clin. Pharm. Therapeutics 4:461.
Reiger, H., and Okonek, S., 1975, The EEG in alkylphosphate poisoning (anticholinesterase insecticides), Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophys. 39: 555.
Romano, J., and Engel, G.L., 1944, Studies of delerium. I. Electroencephalographic data, Arch. Neurol Psychiat. 51: 356.
Rowntree, D.W., Nevin, S., and Wilson, A., 1950, The effects of diisopropylfluorophosphonate in schizophrenia and manic depressive psychosis, J. Neurol Neurosurg. Psychiat 13:41.
Sitaram, M., Wyatt, R.J., Dawson, S., and Gillin, J.C., 1976, REM sleep induction by physostigmine during sleep, Science 797: 1281.
Sitaram, N., Buchsbaum, M.S., and Gillin, J.D., 1977, Physostigmine analgesia and somatosensory evoked responses in man, European Journal of Pharmacology 42: 285.
Van Meter, W.G., and Karczmar, A.G., 1971, An effect of physostigmine on the central nervous system of rabbits, related to brain levels of norepinephrine, Neuropharmacology 10:319.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1979 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Pfefferbaum, A., Davis, K.L., Coulter, C.L., Mohs, R.C., Kopell, B.S. (1979). Electrophysiological Effects of Physostigminein Humans. In: Davis, K.L., Berger, P.A. (eds) Brain Acetylcholine and Neuropsychiatric Disease. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2934-3_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2934-3_20
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-2936-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2934-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive