R. Brandeis et al., PREVENTION OF SOMAN-INDUCED COGNITIVE DEFICITS BY PRETREATMENT WITH HUMAN BUTYRYLCHOLINESTERASE IN RATS, Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior, 46(4), 1993, pp. 889-896
This study examined the ability of pretreatment with human serum butyr
ylcholinesterase (HuBChE) to prevent soman-induced cognitive impairmen
ts. Behavioral testing was carried out using the Morris water maze tas
k evaluating learning, memory, and reversal learning processes. Pretre
atment with HuBChE significantly prevented the memory and reversal lea
rning impairments induced by soman. A small deficiency in performance
was observed only during part of the learning period in HuBChE-treated
rats after administration of soman. Results support the contention th
at pretreatment alone with HuBChE is sufficient to increase survival a
nd to prevent impairment in cognitive functioning following exposure t
o soman.