Effects of the Chemical Defense Antidote Atropine Sulfate on Helicopter PilotPerformance: An In-Flight Study

摘要

The effect of 2 mg and 4 mg injections of atropine sulfate on helicopter pilotswas investigated using a specially instrumented UH-1H helicopter and several laboratory tests. A counterbalanced, within-subjects design was employed in which flight performance, vision, electroencephalographic activity, cognitive skill, and tracking performance were assessed on each of three different drug administration days (placebo, 2 mg, and 4 mg) separated by control days. Results indicated numerous atropine-related difficulties, seen most often with the 4 mg dose. Measurements of flight performance revealed decrements on at least one