Ketamine as a Neuroprotective Agent Following Soman Exposure
Abstract
Current medical countermeasures to chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNA) do not always adequately control CWNA-induced seizure activity. NMDA antagonists have shown promise in controlling CWNA-induced seizures even when given at substantial delays. The combinations of atropine and ketamine administration were examined when given in the traditional treatment scenario almost immediately after intoxication with the nerve agent, soman. Three dose levels of atropine sulfate (AS) (0.5, 1 and 3mg/kg) were tested to increase survivability along with four dose levels of ketamine (0, 7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg) to enhance control of seizure activity. On the day of the experiment, guinea pigs were pretreated with pyridostigmine and challenged 30 minutes later with 2xLD50 soman. One minute after soman exposure, AS and 2-PAM were injected. One minute after the onset of seizure activity, midazolam and either one of the four doses of ketamine or saline were injected. In the group that did not receive ketamine, there was a significant difference in the survival at 24-hours between the 0.5mg/kg and the 1 or 3mg/kg AS groups. Administration of ketamine significantly decreased the duration of seizure activity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 08, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1127768
Entities
People
- Geoffrey W. Duncklee
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences