central anticholinergic syndrome

central anticholinergic syndrome

A form of atropine poisoning in which atropine acts on central nervous system cholinergic receptors to cause neurological disturbances including confusion and even long-lasting coma. The syndrome is occasionally seen after surgical anaesthesia in which atropine premedication has been given or after dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography. It has also been described after MEFLOQUINE treatment of MALARIA.