Pyridostigmine Bromide A Review of the Scientific Literature as it Pertains to Gulf War Illnesses

by Golomb, Beatrice

• ISBN13: 9780833026774
• ISBN10: 0833026771
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-10-13
• Publisher: RAND CORPORATION

Summary

The United States and its allies in the Persian Gulf War (PGW) knew that Iraq had used nerve agents and chemical weapons in its previous conflicts and so took steps to protect their troops. Pyridostigmine Bromide was distributed as a pretreatment that would enhance the effectiveness of postexposure treatments in the event that the nerve agent soman was used. This report examines the role that PB played in the ongoing chronic health problems documented in PGW veterans. After careful examination of the known effects of PB on the central and peripheral nervous systems, the author finds the evidence consistent with a possible role for PB as a contributor to the health complaints of some PGW veterans and calls for immediate attention in the form of additional investigation to clarify the role of PB

Table of Contents

Preface	p. v
Figures	p. xv
Tables	p. xvii
Summary	p. xix
Acknowledgements	p. xxxv
Abbreviations	p. xxxvii
Introduction	p. 1
Fact Sheet: Pb Pretreatment for Soman Exposure	p. 7
Characteristics of Pb	p. 11
Pb Use in the Persian Gulf War	p. 49
Health Problems in Pgw Veterans	p. 57
Theories Linking Pb to Illness in Pgw Veterans	p. 67
Blood-brain Barrier Passage	p. 73
Individual Differences in Reactions to Pb	p. 83
Interactions Between Pb and Other Exposures	p. 107
Bromism	p. 131
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity	p. 145
Neuromuscular Junction Effects	p. 163
Neurotransmitter Dysregulation	p. 183
Chronic Effects	p. 211
Other Considerations	p. 239
Conclusions	p. 267
Addendum: Evidence for Neurotransmitter Dysregulation Identified or Published Since the Review Process	p. 281
Pyridostigmine Pharmacokinetic Data	p. 287
Effects of Pb in Humans	p. 291
Further Discussion of the Acetylcholine-serotonin Relationship	p. 299
References	p. 303
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