New Possibilities in the Pharmacological Treatment of Abnormal Convulsive Activity in Acute Organophosphate Nerve Agents Intoxication

Organophosphates, used as chemical warfare nerve agents and pesticides are the most toxic chemicals known to date. Despite the number of studies done on the subject matter, intoxication caused by such agents is among the most complicated problems in medicine because of the induced increase in abnormal electrical activity in the brain and the subsequent brain damage. The anticonvulsant and neuro-protective effects of conventional benzodiazepines are limited by their side effects, including sedation, amnesia, withdrawal, and anticonvulsant tolerance. Imidazenil is a proposed drug in the treatment of convulsions in acute cases of poisoning with organophosphate nerve agents and an alternative to the currently used benzodiazepines with an improved safety profile.