Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Scopolamine after Subcutaneous Administration

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effects of subcutaneously administered scopolamine on quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) and cognitive performance were evaluated and correlated with pharmacokinetic parameters in a randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover study of 10 healthy male volunteers. Changes in qEEG and cognition were determined for 8 hours after drug administration. Scopolamine produced dose‐ and time‐dependent impairments of attention and memory and a time‐dependent increase in delta power (1.25‐4.50 Hz) and a decrease in fast alpha power (9.75‐12.50 Hz) on qEEG compared with placebo. Maximum serum concentrations of scopolamine occurred 10 to 30 minutes after drug administration. Mean peak serum concentrations (free base) were 3.27, 8.99, and 18.81 ng/mL after administration of 0.4, 0.6 mg, and 0.8 mg scopolamine, respectively. Elimination half‐life was approximately 220 minutes. The findings indicate temporary changes in qEEG and psychometric tests, and support the possible use of such a testing model for impaired cognitive functions such as age‐related memory disturbances.