ISSN:
1432-1041
Keywords:
pupillometry
;
light reflex
;
atropine
;
nortryptyline
;
procyclidine
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Single oral doses of atropine, nortriptyline, procyclidine and lactose dummy were administered double-blind to eight healthy young subjects in a balanced, crossover study. Television pupillometry was used to measure the anticholinergic effects of these drugs on the pupil diameter in darkness and the reflex response to light flashes. The sensitivity of this method was compared with conventional autonomic function tests, viz. salivary secretion, radial pulse, forearm sweat gland activity and distance to visual near point. Visual analogue scales were used to obtain subjective measures of sedative drug effects. The expected inhibition of parasympathetic activity was found in most instances with two exceptions: firstly, that nortriptyline failed to affect the pupil despite causing a tachycardia and secondly, that procyclidine gave a bradycardia. The results are discussed with reference to the possible advantages of television pupillometry over conventional pupil measurement in the detection of anticholinergic drug effects.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00563554
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