Association of low serum anticholinergic levels and cognitive impairment in elderly presurgical patients
Abstract
Low-dose scopolamine, given as presurgery medication, resulted in low levels of serum anticholinergic activity and caused measurable cognitive impairment in 18 psychiatrically healthy elderly patients. The degree of impairment was directly related to serum anticholinergic activity levels and, in the small subgroup of patients scheduled for spinal anesthesia, to CSF anticholinergic activity. Two of the mental status tests used, the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test and the Saskatoon Delirium Checklist, were sensitive enough to detect these mild drug-induced changes, while two other tests, the Mini-Mental State and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, were not.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).