Individual Differences in Neurobehavioral Effects of Pyridostigmine.
Abstract
This report describes an ongoing, double-blind, cross-over study of the physiological and performance effects of pyridostigmine that should be valuable in optimizing its use as a prophylactic defense against organophosphate chemical warfare agents. Improvements in the assay for pyridostigmine and its major urinary metabolite should be of value to other investigators as the assay is less costly, and relatively simple to implement. A new observation is that the AChE-pyridostigmine complex in red cells is not stable even at -80 degrees centigrade. Most studies of pyridostigmine bromide in humans have sent frozen aliquots of red blood cells to other laboratories for assay, and have not been able to evaluate the changes that can occur with the initial freezing of the sample. This may indicate that the extent to which red cell AChE is inhibited by pyridostigmine, and the consequences of this inhibition for human performance, need to be re-evaluated. The findings of the completed study should contribute to a more complete body of knowledge about the use of PYR as a prophylactic OP-defense agent, and assess the plausibility of some current hypotheses linking PYR intake (directly or indirectly) with the development of Gulf War Syndrome.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA358863
Entities
People
- Mary R. Cook
Organizations
- MRIGlobal