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Cholinergic drugs as diagnostic and therapeutic tools in affective disorders
Author(s) -
Berger M.,
Riemann D.,
Krieg C.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1991.tb03110.x
Subject(s) - cholinergic , cholinergic system , psychology , medicine , psychotherapist , neuroscience
The hypothesis of a significant involvement of the cholinergic system in the pathogenesis of affective disorders still lacks strong experimental support. This is mainly because of missing specific peripheral markers of the central nervous activity of the cholinergic system and the lack of specific cholinergic agonists and antagonists without severe peripheral side effects. As the direct cholinergic agonist RS 86 seems to be more suitable because of its minor side effects, long half‐life and oral applicability, it was tested for its antimanic property and its effect on the hypothalamo‐pituitary adrenal system and the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep‐generating system. RS 86 exhibited antimanic and REM sleep‐inducing properties, but failed to stimulate the Cortisol system.