Human Movement Disorders Research Articles

Cholinergic and anticholinergic influences on amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior

The effect of cholinergic and anticholinergic agents on the threshold dosage of amphetamine required to produce stereotyped behavior in guinea pigs was investigated. The anticholinergic agent scopolamine lowered the threshold dosage of amphetamine required to produce stereotyped behavior. The cholinergic agent physostigmine strongly antagonized the onset of amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior. The effect of altering cholinergic activity in human movement disorders which have as their basis alterations in the dopaminergic system is discussed. On the basis of this investigation it is suggested that centrally acting cholinergic agents may be of value in the treatment of Huntington's chorea, levodopa-induced dyskinesia, and tardive dyskinesias. It is further suggested that the use of anticholinergic drugs in patients receiving chronic neuroleptic therapy may predispose them to the development of tardive dyskinesias and should be avoided.