Atropine in the Treatment of Closed Head Injury

Abstract

It had previously been demonstrated, in man and exptl. animals, that free acetylcholine is found in the cerebrospinal fluid although none is present normally. In exptl. animals the admn. of atropine had been shown to abolish the stuporous condition and the abnormal eeg. pattern which accompanies concussion (Bornstein). These observations prompted the use of anticholinergic drugs in concussion in man. Atropine sulfate in doses of 0.1 mg./kg. was used by the author in 20 cases suffering severe closed head injuries. The results were generally favorable.