Hamilton_1991_Neuroreport_2_273

Poisoning by soman causes changes in brain activity leading to neuronal death in several brain areas. We investigated whether disruption of normal Ca2+ homeostasis was sufficient to account for at least some of the OP-induced neurotoxicity. Beginning 24 h after a challenge with soman (1 or 4 LD50) K(+)-stimulated synaptosomal Ca2+ influx was significantly elevated above that in control animals. Neuronal Ca2+ influx remained elevated for two days after 1 LD50 of soman and at least 7 days after 4 LD50. The effect was specific for depolarization induced influx as there was no effect on resting (5 mM K+) Ca2+ accumulation. These results suggest that increased intracellular Ca2+ may contribute to the neuronal degeneration and neurotoxicity observed after poisoning with soman.