Effect of cholinergic agents in Huntington's disease: a reappraisal.

The effects of centrally and peripherally active anti-cholinergic agents were investigated in four patients with Huntington's disease. Scopolamine reduced chorea, increased incoordination, induced sedation, and produced confusion. Benztropine produced similar but milder effects. A peripheral anticholinergic, glycopyrrolate, had no effect. These results, combined with previous studies, indicate that cholinergic agonists and antagonists that produce sedation may reduce chorea without improving coordination, and suggest that this antichoreic action is independent of their cholinergic actions.