Control of Nerve Agent-Induced Seizures is Critical for Neuroprotection and Survival
Abstract
The effectiveness of some anticholinergics (atropine, biperiden or trihexyphenidyl) and beazodiazepines (diazepam or midazolam) as an anticonvulsant treatment against seizures induced by six nerve agents (tabun, sarin, soman, cyclosarin, VR and VX) was studied in a guinea pig model that closely approximates the use of pretreatment and therapy drugs as medical countermeasures for nerve agent exposure. The time to seizure onset, the time to seizure termination, and 24-h lethality were recorded. The anticonvulsant ED5O of each drug for termination of seizures induced by each agent was calculated and compared. Brain tissue from animals that survived 24 h was examined for pathology. Results suggest that all nerve agents produce EEG seizures via a common mechanism and can be controlled by anticholinergic or beazodiazepine anticonvulsant treatment. While control of seizures was known to protect against brain pathology, the relationship between seizure control and the acute lethal effects of these agents appears to have been previously under-appreciated. Effective anticonvulsant treatment of a nerve agent casualty is, therefore, critical to immediate and long-term recovery.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA417799
Entities
People
- John H. McDonough
- Steven M. Duniho
- Tsung-ming A. Shih
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense