Diazepam as a treatment for nerve agent poisoning in primates.

Diazepam is known to decrease organophosphate nerve agent-induced convulsions, neuropathology, and lethality in rhesus monkeys. We report that, when added to the previously fielded treatment regimen (pyridostigmine, atropine, and pralidoxime chloride), diazepam significantly protects the performance of rhesus monkeys trained in an equilibrium task, the Primate Equilibrium Platform (PEP), against deficits induced by the nerve-agent soman. If administered soon enough to minimize the occurrence of convulsions, diazepam should increase the probability of mission accomplishment and eventual complete recovery from nerve agent poisoning. Diazepam was fielded by the United States military services during Operations Desert Shield and Storm for the treatment of possible organophosphate toxicity.