Nerve Agents Identification
Tabun, VX, SARIN, Soman, and Cyclosarin are all nerve agents. None of these options is an exception - they are all classified as organophosphate nerve agents.
Classification of Nerve Agents
Nerve agents are organophosphorus compounds that act as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, causing severe toxicity and potentially death. The major nerve agents include:
G-series agents:
- Tabun (GA)
- Sarin (GB)
- Soman (GD)
- Cyclosarin (GF)
V-series agents:
- VX (most potent)
All of these agents were developed as chemical warfare agents and share a common mechanism of action 1, 2.
Mechanism of Action
Nerve agents work by:
- Irreversibly inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
- Causing accumulation of excessive acetylcholine at synapses
- Leading to overstimulation of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors 2, 3
Clinical Effects of Nerve Agent Exposure
Exposure to any of these nerve agents results in a characteristic toxidrome:
- Miosis (pupillary constriction)
- Rhinorrhea
- Bronchorrhea and bronchospasm
- Bradycardia
- Fasciculations and muscle weakness
- Seizures and status epilepticus
- Respiratory distress
- Death (if untreated) 3, 4
Treatment of Nerve Agent Exposure
Standard treatment protocol includes:
- Atropine (to block parasympathetic effects)
- Oximes like pralidoxime (to reactivate acetylcholinesterase)
- Benzodiazepines (to control seizures) 4
Historical Context
These nerve agents have been used in warfare and terrorist attacks:
- Tabun was the first nerve agent used in warfare (by Iraq against Iran in 1984)
- Sarin was used in terrorist attacks in Japan and in the Syrian civil war
- VX is considered the most potent and persistent of the common nerve agents 1, 3
All of the listed compounds (Tabun, VX, SARIN, Soman, and Cyclosarin) are definitively classified as nerve agents in the scientific and medical literature, with no exceptions 5.