Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 44
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for
Terrorism: TICs &
TIMs
Treatment
strategy
Excitatio
n
Inhibitio
n
Module
Two
- The Clinical Neurotoxicology of Chemical
Terrorism
4
4
Although the hallucinogenic agents disrupt our thought processes, our treatments
usually focus on enhancing the inhibitory activity of the brain.
In other words, we focus on sedation to counter delirium. As depicted on the slide, this
treatment alters the individual’s balance of inputs - however, it is easier to provide care
for and protect a sedated person than a delirious person.
In the case of anticholinergic delirium, a specific antidote is available. The use of the
cholinergic drug, physostigmine, can reverse all of the anticholinergic effects. This drug
is a useful diagnostic – and therapeutic – tool. However, its duration of action is shor
The see-saw depicts the effects of treating a hallucinating or delirious patient with a
sedative, thus enhancing the inhibition of brain function. Note that this will result in a
sedated patient, with all the potential downside of CNS and respiratory depression.
However, it removes the potentially injurious effects seen in patients with altered thought
processes due to unexpected and unpleasant hallucinations.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 115