Rats injected with a nonlethal acute dose (100 micrograms/kg, sc) of soman (pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate) exhibited signs of anticholinesterase toxicity beginning at 5-15 min with increasing severity and lasting for 4-6 hr. Generalized tremors and seizure activity indicated comparatively greater involvement of the central cholinergic system than peripheral neuromuscular effects. During peak toxicity, all the brain regions tested showed more than 95% inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. The cortex area was maximally affected (99% inhibition). Among skeletal muscles, soleus AChE was most severely affected (94%) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) the least (72%). Inhibition of EDL AChE occurred at a much slower rate than in brain and other muscles. Significant recovery of AChE activity was seen by 48-72 hr after soman treatment in both brain and skeletal muscles. By Day 7, recovery was virtually complete in skeletal muscles but not in brain, although significant recovery had occurred by this time. Muscle fiber necrosis developed within 6 hr in the soleus and diaphragm, while no necrotic fibers were found in the EDL. The 16 S AChE molecular form showed the fastest recovery of the AChE isozymes in all three muscles. Full recovery was seen after 7 days in soleus and was increased to greater than control activity in diaphragm and EDL. The inhibition pattern of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity was similar to that described for AChE activity, but the recovery was comparatively faster. Carboxylesterase activity in plasma was decreased to less than 10% of control within 1 hr and recovered to 53% of control within 24 hr. No significant inhibition was seen in hepatic carboxylesterase activity. It can be concluded that soman-induced acute toxicity is directly related to the rate and degree of AChE inhibition. A significant amount of soman binds to non-AChE enzymes with serine sites such as BuChE and carboxylesterases.