The Sound of Evolution
Scopolamine
Mechanism of action:
Scopolamine is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist and a derivative of the tropane alkaloids. Scopolamine binds to muscarinic receptors M1 through M5, with particularly prominent effects on M1 receptors in the central nervous system. It therefore inhibits the action of acetylcholine and reduces the strength of vestibular input reaching the vomiting center.
Reference(s):
1. Putcha L et al. (1989). Pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of scopolamine in normal subjects. Pharm Res.
2. Kruse AC et al. (2014). Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors: novel opportunities for drug development. Nat Rev Drug Discov.
3. Moran SP et al. (2019). Targeting Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors for the Treatment of Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders. Trends Pharmacol Sci.