title: Neurophysiological markers as early signs of organophosphate neurotoxicity.
abstract: The central and peripheral nervous system effects of acute and subchronic exposure to three organic phosphoro-acid esters (dimethoate, dichlorvos, parathion-methyl) were studied. CNS-dependent variables included mean EEG amplitude, mean frequency of the EEG, and the activity (power density) of six component frequency bands. Peripheral nervous system evaluations included determinations of conduction velocity, and both relative and absolute refractory periods. Cholinesterase activity was measured in blood, brain and other organs. The results indicate that acute large doses of these agents produce substantial changes in these measures of CNS and PNS function. In subchronic experiments it was found that a six weeks administration of 1/50 LD50 of the chemicals induced early functional changes in both the central and the peripheral nervous systems. It is recommended that when cholinesterase inhibition is detected in humans, functional evaluations of CNS and PNS should follow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Albert-Szent-Gyorgyi University Medical School, Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nagymajtényi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dési
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lorencz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000378:metabolism; D004569:Electroencephalography; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D009498:Neurotoxins; D009928:Organ Specificity; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007306:Insecticides; D009498:Neurotoxins; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D002802:Cholinesterases