Effects of Chemical Defense Antidotes (Atropine) on Aviator Performance (Simulated Flight and Zero Input Tracking Analyzer)

Abstract

Army aviation is at serious risk in chemical and biological warfare environments. One of the potential countermeasures for aviators against the chemical threat is the development of antidote and pretreatment drugs. Just as the chemical agent carries the threat of degrading aviator performance, antidote and pretreatment drugs could independently produce problems either alone or in combination with an agent. This paper briefly outlines part of the first phase of a systematic program using controlled, simulated flight conditions and a Zero Input Tracking Analyzer (ZITA) to identify and measure flight performance and psychomotor effects of unchallenged atropine (one of the chemical defense antidotes) on aviators. Each of 12 U.S. Army helicopter aviators voluntarily received 3 dosages: 0 mg (saline solution), 2 mg of atropine sulfate, and 4 mg of atropine sulfate. Results indicate that simulator flight performance data did prove to be sensitive in identifying and measuring effects of 4 mg of atropine. Additionally, some ZITA tests showed a statistically significant degradation with the 4 mg dosage.