The psychotomimetic properties of anticholinergics like scopolamine and atropine are most likely due to these drugs' ability to
A)block the access of muscarine to its receptors
B)increase the amount of acetylcholine released from neurons
C)competitively block muscarinic acetylcholine receptors
D)reduce the metabolic inactivation of acetylcholine

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Anticholinergics such as scopolamine and atropine competitively block muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, which are involved in a variety of functions in the central and peripheral nervous systems. This blockade can result in psychotomimetic effects, including hallucinations and delirium. Blocking the access of muscarine to its receptors (A) would have similar effects to blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Increasing the amount of acetylcholine released from neurons (B) or reducing the metabolic inactivation of acetylcholine (D) would likely have opposite effects and result in increased cholinergic activity, which is not associated with psychotomimetic effects.

The Psychotomimetic Properties of Anticholinergics Like Scopolamine and Atropine Are