Datura delirium.

Abstract

Poisoning with tropine alkaloids from cultivated plants and pharmaceuticals is an uncommon cause of delirium and coma. We report a patient with a toxic delirium following ingestion of the tropine alkaloid-containing root of Datura innoxia. Thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of atropine and scopolamine in samples of the ingested root. Routine clinical toxin screens may not include an assay for tropine alkaloids. A specific tropine alkaloid assay may provide supporting evidence. The clinical, electroencephalographic, and therapeutic aspects of anticholinergic poisoning are discussed.

• Authors: J P Hanna, J W Schmidley, W E Braselton Jr
• Journal: Clinical neuropharmacology (Clin Neuropharmacol) Vol. 15 Issue 2 Pg. 109-13 (Apr 1992) ISSN: 0362-5664 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1591736 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Alkaloids
• Physostigmine

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Alkaloids (poisoning)
• Datura stramonium
• Delirium (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Physostigmine (therapeutic use)
• Plant Poisoning (complications)
• Plants, Medicinal
• Plants, Toxic