The changes in sleep architecture, heart rate and respiratory rate to hyoscine butylbromide (HBB), a peripherally acting anticholinergic was studied. These effects were compared with that of atropine sulphate, a drug known to cross the blood brain barrier. The study followed a single blind cross over design with a one week washout period. Atropine sulphate (0.4 mg) and HBB (10 mg) were given in...

Current techniques used to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the sensory responses to distension of the human esophagus provide limited information because the degree of circumferential stretch required to determine tension can only be inferred. We used impedance planimetry to measure the cross-sectional area during esophageal distension to ascertain the degree of stretch and tension t...