Organophosphorus nerve agents are highly toxic compounds which strongly inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the blood and in the central nervous system (CNS). Tabun is one of the highly toxic organophosphorus (OP) compounds and is resistant to many oxime drugs formulated for the reactivation of AChE. The reactivation mechanism of tabun-conjugated AChE with various drugs has been examined wit...

On September 22, 1980 Iraqis attacked Iran's air bases and simultaneously entered Iran with six army divisions on three fronts and occupied a vast part of Iranian territories. At that time, Iraqis did not have chemical warfare. But in time, they began to develop an intensive research program to produce and store chemical weapons and used the war fields to test and perfect their chemical warfare...

On September 22, 1980 Iraqis attacked Iran's air bases and simultaneously entered Iran with six army divisions on three fronts and occupied a vast part of Iranian territories. At that time, Iraqis did not have chemical warfare. But in time, they began to develop an intensive research program to produce and store chemical weapons and used the war fields to test and perfect their chemical warfare...

The mechanism of intoxication with organophosphorus compounds, including highly toxic nerve agents, is based on the irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase that is followed by an accumulation of acetylcholine at peripheral and central cholinergic synapses, which in turn leads to the clinical manifestation of various signs and symptoms summarized as acute cholinergic crisis. Nerve agent ...

Recently, a new chapter was started in the handbook of terror involving the application of nerve gas technology to the killing of civilians. On March 19, a terrorist attack in a Tokyo subway resulted in the loss of 10 lives and injury to over 5,000 others. In view of the lethality of the suspected agent, sarin, the fatalities were surprisingly few. Terrorist attacks on civilians are not new, bu...

Symptoms of acute poisoning with nerve agents such as organophosphorus (OP) compounds include general convulsions that could lead to brain damage if uncontrolled. Seizures are believed to be due to hyperactivity of the cholinergic system as a result of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Evidence suggests that the seizure process could also be the result of activation of the N-methyl-d­ ...