Combined atropine and 2-PAM Cl effects on tracking performance and visual, physiological, and psychological functions

Combinations of atropine (up to 4 mg.70 kg-1) and 2-PAM Cl (up to 1200 mg.70 kg-1) were studied for their effects on a pursuit tracking task, six visual functions, heart rate and blood pressure, and cognitive functions as measured by six psychological tests. Tracking performance in both bright light and dim light was significantly degraded up to 3.5 h after injection. High- and low-contrast near acuity was significantly altered up to 6 h after injection, whereas accommodation and pupil size remained altered for 24 h. Elevated pulse rates were observed for 4 h. Elevated systolic blood pressures were observed for 2 h while diastolic pressures remained elevated for 6 h. No drug effects were found for the psychological tests. Overall, the observed effects of these two drugs in combination are qualitatively similar to those of atropine alone although they are of greater magnitude. On two measures (accommodation and diastolic blood pressure), 2-PAM Cl was found to significantly potentiate the atropine effect.