Behavioral hyporeactivity to physostigmine in detoxified primary alcoholics

Am J Psychiatry. 1989 Apr;146(4):538-9. doi: 10.1176/ajp.146.4.538.

Abstract

Changes in anergia/inhibition, mood, and pulse rate induced by intravenous physostigmine were significantly less pronounced in 26 patients with primary alcoholism than in 36 normal control subjects. These results suggest possible abnormalities in central cholinergic functioning in primary alcoholics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / physiopathology*
  • Emotions / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Physostigmine / pharmacology*
  • Pulse / drug effects
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / physiology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • Physostigmine