Abstract
The term central anticholinergic syndrome (CAS) describes a symptom complex, which was first mentioned by Longo in 1966. Hereby, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine plays a central role. If the effect of the acetylcholine is blocked by anticholinergic substances, such as medicines or drugs, a range of central nervous system manifestations can result. This antagonistic effect results directly from the competitive displacement from the acetylcholine receptor or by indirect anticholinergic processes. One differentiates between peripherial and central manifestations. The following case report discusses the problem of identifying CAS, which is not unusual in emergency and intensive care medicine. Approximately 70% of all medicines (for example, tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, neuroleptics) used in suicide attempts have an anticholinergic substance.
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