Aryl-cycloalkyl-alkanolamines for treatment of cholinergic neurotoxins
A compound and method are disclosed for reducing neurotoxic effects (such as seizures and brain damage) caused by cholinergic agents such as soman (a nerve gas) and pilocarpine (a convulsant drug used to study the mechanisms of epilepsy). Effective treatment can be provided by administering an aryl-cycloalkylalkanolamine substance having the general formula: STR1 The compoudns procyclidine, biperiden, and trihexyphenidyl fall within this class of compounds. Although not previously recognized to be effective against soman or other cholinergic neurotoxins, all three representative compounds have been discovered to be highly effective against all cholinergic neurotoxins tested to data, even when administered after actual seizures begin.