Reversal of central anticholinergic syndrome by galanthamine.

Ten volunteers were given 2 mg scopolamine intravenously (IV) to produce substantial drowsiness and sleepiness. Galanthamine, 0.5 mg/kg IV, effectively reversed the central anticholinergic syndrome produced by scopolamine. Electroencephalographic monitoring of two subjects matched the observed changes of consciousness: scopolamine replaced the dominant awake alpha rhythm with a disorganized, slow, 4- to 6-Hz activity. Galanthamine promptly returned to EEG pattern to the control, awake state. Galanthamine produces effective, safe, and long-lasting reversal of the central anticholinergic syndrome in man.