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Neurological Aspects of Biological and Chemical Terrorism Arch Neurol 60:21-25, Martin,C.O., &Adams,H.P., 2003 See this aricle in Pubmed Article Abstract The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge physicians to become familiar with chemical and biological weapons. Preparedness among neurologists is especially important because several of these agents affect the nervous system. This article reviews 4 agents that have a history of military or terrorist use: cyanide poisons, organophosphate poisons, botulinum toxin, and anthrax. Cyanied and organophosphate poisons are characterized by dose-dependent impairment of neurological functio n with nonspecific symptoms such as headache or dizziness at one end of the spectrum and convulsions and coma at the other. Neurological examinations help clinicians to differentiate these agents from other intoxications. Botulinum toxin has a delayed o nset of action and results in descending paralysis and prominent cranial nerve palsies. Anthrax frequently causes fulminating hemorrhagic meningitis. Early recognition of these chemical and biological weapons is key to instituting specific therapy and p reventing casualties within the health care team and the community at large.

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(click to filter results - removes previous filter) anthrax biological warfare botulinum toxin chemical weapons cranial nerve palsies cyanide poison meningitis meningitis,hemorrhagic nerve agents paralysis poison,organophosphate review article treatment of neurologic disorder

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