These studies are designed to help war fighters and victims of terrorist attacks exposed to nerve gas or nerve agents such as sarin, soman, VX, etc. These agents are known to cause seizures. We propose to test new types of drugs to treat nerve agent-induced seizures and brain effects. In an animal model of nerve agent exposure, we will test whether three drugs can terminate seizure and protect against brain damage. These three drugs are already being tried in people for the treatment pain, epilepsy, and stroke. These drugs have been safe when used in humans, and side effects reported are sleepiness, dizziness, etc. If these drugs prove useful in experimental animals, these could be tested in patients with prolonged seizures. These drugs could then be available to treat soldiers and civilians exposed to nerve agents. |
