Abstract
Sarin is a toxic substance which inhibits acetylcholinesterase. Although cholinesterase activity recovers about three months after exposure to sarin, some symptoms and signs have been reported to last for a long time and even develop after a certain period of time. The long - term effect of sarin has been investigated through follow - up of victims of Matsumoto sarin attack in 1994 and Tokyo subway attack in 1995. Eye symptoms such as asthenopia as well as general fatigue and vertigo/dizziness were frequently experienced by the victims. Abnormal findings in posturography and ophthalmologic examinations were also reported. Pathophysiology of long - term complication of sarin should be further investigated. In addition, given that the effects of psychological factors related to trauma and biological factors are not mutually exclusive, long- term physical symptoms of the victims should be taken care of from a psychosomatic viewpoint.
