Olfactory System: A Unique Neural Model for Assessing Chemical Nerve Agents

摘要

Anticholinesterase poisons, such as soman, kill by peripheral effects; but centrally generated convulsions can cause severe, permanent CNS lesions. Drugs which block the muscarinic effects of acetylcholine and depressant drugs which block convulsions can reduce the severity of these symptoms. Such treatment preserves life and prevents gross brain damage. Nevertheless, there remains the possibility of specific damage to the cholinergic system which are the target of soman. Injuries of this sort would not be seen in standard microscopic examination of the brains of intoxicated animals. We report here the results of investigations using histochemical and biochemical techniques aimed at determining whether such specific injuries occur and what can be done to prevent them. (kt)