Intoxication with organophosphorus (OF) anticholinesterase agents such as soman triggers irreversible lesions in some cerebral areas. Administration of soman at the LD 50 leads to an increased activity of NADPH-diaphorase (= NO-synthase) in the cerebral endothelial cells from the 6th hour after poisoning. This activity culminates after 24 h, whereas variations in this enzymatic activity are not easily detectable in NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons. Since soman triggers astrocytic oedema leading to a possible decrease in the local cerebral blood flow, it is likely that the induction of endothelial NO-synthase exerts an antagonistic effect, since NO is a vasodilator.