A Thermographic Study of Autonomic Effect of TTS-Scopolamine

Abstract

The lowering of skin temperature by caloric stimulation was markedly inhibited by the transdermal application of TTS-scopolamine, but metopic cooling was not affected. Intense vestibular inputs project to the 2V area through the vestibular nuclei and reticular formation, causing the sensation of vertigo, and lowering the cutaneous temperature simultaneously via the sympathetic system, and also the unpleasant symptoms of nausea and/or vomiting through the vomiting center. The present findings reveal that TTS-scopolamine dose not affect the somatic autonomic reflex system but markedly inhibits the vestibular response, suggesting that the effect of this drug may be due to inhibition of the neuron network containing the vestibular nuclei and the reticular formation.