Organophosphorus nerve agents effects

Gordon, J.J., R.H. Inns, M.K. Johnson, L. Leadbeater, M.P. Maidment, D.G. Upshall, G.H. Cooper, and R.L. Rickard. The Delayed Neuropathic Effects of Nerve Agents and Some Other Organophosphorus Compounds." Archives of Toxicology 52 (1983) 71-82. 

Exposure to nerve agents is not restricted to the battlefield. Possible terrorist use of these weapons and the destruction of the chemical weapon depots certainly will increase the risk of exposure. Since treatment for intoxication with at least some of these organophosphorus (OP) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors is still far from ideal, research efforts are devoted towards finding an effective treatment. 

Even more reactive towards acetylcholinesterase are the organophosphorus derivatives developed as chemical warfare nerve agents, e.g. sarin. Such compounds react readily with the enzyme and form very stable addition intermediates. It is unusual to see fluoride as a leaving group, as in sarin, but its presence provides a huge inductive effect, thus accelerating the initial nucleophilic addition step (see also Section 13.7). 

In addition to battlefield trauma, there is also the risk of exposure to chemical weapons such as the nerve agents, notably the organophosphorus gases (soman, sarin, VX, tabun) [6]. Organophosphorus toxicity arises largely from their ability to irreversibly inhibit acetyl-cholinesterases, leading to effects associated with peripheral acetyl-choline accumulation (muscarinic syndrome) such as meiosis, profuse sweating, bradychardia, bronchioconstriction, hypotension, and diarrhoea. Central nervous system effects include anxiety, restlessness, confusion, ataxia, tremors. 

Gordon, J.J., Inns, R.H., Johnson, M.K., Leadbeater, L., Maid-ment, M.P., Upshall, D.G., Cooper, G.H., Rickard, R.L. (1983). The delayed neuropathic effects of nerve agents and some other organophosphorus compounds. Arch. Toxicol. 52 71-82. 

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