COMPARISON OF THE COGNITIVE EFFECTS OF PREMEDICATION WITH HYOSCINE AND ATROPINE

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Abstract
The nature and duration of the congnitive effects of atropine and hyoscine were compared. Thirty patients undergoing a minor gynecological operation were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups to receive hyoscine, atropine or placebo as premediction. A battery of psychological tests was administered before premedication, 30 min after premedication and 1 and 3 h following operation. The test included orientation questions, simple tasks such as reciting the alphabet, memory tests, a reaction-time test and 2 tests of visuo-motor coordination. Hyoscine had detrimental effects no memory and on motor tasks compared with placebo, while atropine did not. The effects on motor performance had not disappeared 3 h after operation.