[EEG-effects of atropine. Study on 16 patients (author's transl)]

Changes of EEG and CEEG have been studied in two groups of patients premedicated with 0,5 mg atropine. Study group A (n = 8) consisted of patients whose age ranged from 20 to 50 years, study group B (n = 8) of patients above 70 years. The observaton ranged from 15 to 60 min. In addition mental condition, blood pressure and pulsrate were registrated. The base line electroencephalogram of all patients was within the normal range. Atropine caused slight changes of power. Alpha-activity decreased whereas delta- and theta-activity increased. The changes were more pronounced in young patients. The behaviour of 14 patients did not change. Two patients showed slight side-effects. Correlations of changes in the electroencephalogram and clinical behaviour could not be verified. The pulse rate measurements showed an increase, without significance.