Studies on the possible central and peripheral effects in man of a cholinesterase inhibitor (pyridostigmine)

The effect of a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor (pyridostigmine: 30 mg, 8-hourly for 3 days) on psychomotor performance and visual function and on the electrical activity of the brain was studied in healthy man. It was not possible to detect any change during the six individual experimental sessions over the 3 days, but with pooling of the data there was a drug effect. The threshold for detection of a flickering light was increased and less responses were missed on a dynamic visual-acuity task. Visuo-motor coordination was impaired. The observations were consistent with the known activity of the drug and suggest an increase in central arousal and minimal alteration in motor coordination.