The long-term increase of baseline and reflexly augmented levels of human vagal-cardiac nervous activity induced by scopolamine.

Authors:
  • MDM E Dibner-Dunlap
    M E Dibner-Dunlap
  • DED L Eckberg
    D L Eckberg
  • NMN M Magid
    N M Magid
  • NCN M Cintrón-Treviño
    N M Cintrón-Treviño
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Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that transdermal scopolamine increases vagal-cardiac nervous outflow over the long term in 16 healthy young men. Twenty-four hours after application of one scopolamine patch, the average RR interval was increased by 13% and the average standard deviation of the RR interval (taken as an index of the level of vagal-cardiac nervous activity) was increased by 31%. Baroreceptor-cardiac reflex responsiveness (as reflected by prolongation of RR interval provoked by graded neck suction) also was increased substantially. These findings suggest that vagal-cardiac nervous activity can be augmented pharmacologically in man on a long-term basis. Since vagal outflow influences cardiac electrical properties in an important way, these findings may have therapeutic implications.

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