This review describes the main features of the cholinergic system, cholinergic receptors, cholinesterases and their inhibitors. It also focuses on the organophosphorus nerve agents, their properties, effects, and a large part describes various possibilities in treatments, mainly traditional oxime therapies based on reactivation of AChE.
Furthermore, non-cholinesterase antidotal effects of the oximes are thorougly discussed. These antidotal effects principally include oxime interactions with muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.