Visual Hallucinations on Eye Closure Associated with Atropine Toxicity. A Neurological Analysis and Comparison with other Visual Hallucinations
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques February 1, 1991 DOI: 10.1017/s0317167100031255 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A single patient who received intravenous atropine |
| Intervention | Atropine |
| Duration | 11 days |
| Citations | 45 |
| Key findings | The authors report that intravenous atropine was followed by intense visual hallucinations lasting 11 days, present only with eyes closed and accompanied by heightened dreaming and disturbed sleep, while the patient remained lucid. They hypothesize that these hallucinations originated in the brain stem sleep-dream system and suggest a similar metabolic 'locus minoris resistentiae' may be involved in other visual hallucinations and delirium. |
Abstract
Visual hallucinations of remarkable intensity began shortly after intravenous atropine and persisted for 11 days. They were present only when the eyes were closed and were associated with heightened dreaming and disturbed sleep. The patient remained lucid and described his experiences to his attendants. Our patient's hallucinations bore some resemblance to hypnagogic hallucinations and this became the basis for the hypothesis that the hallucinations originated in the sleep-dream system of the brain stem. It is speculated that a similar site--a metabolic locus minoris resistentiae may play a part in other types of visual hallucinations and in delirium.