Office of Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-73/3
Title and Subtitle: Subtle changes in brain functions produced by single doses of mevinphos (Phosdrin)
Report Date: February 1973
Authors: Revzin AM
Abstract: Mevinphos (Phosdrin) was found to inhibit the amplitude of hippocampal evoked potentials in unanesthetized squirrel monkeys with chronically indwelling electrodes. The threshold dose was 0.050 mg/kg and the maximal dose studied was 0.200 mg/kg. Doses above 0.200 mg/kg induced hippocampal seizures.
Within the dose range of 0.050 mg/kg to 0.200 mg/kg the amplitude and duration of the inhibition were directly proportional to dose. No peripheral signs of poisoning, such as tremor or salivation, were seen at doses of 0.200 mg/kg or under. The discussion emphasizes that mevinphos produces changes in brain function in the absence of the peripheral symptomatology usually taken as indicators of poisoning by aerial applicator personnel.
Therefore, it is concluded that exposure to mevinphos may be unexpectedly hazardous since the aerial applicators may be unaware that they have been poisoned.
Key Words: Anticholinesterase, Pesticide, Hippocampus, Evoked Potentials, Squirrel Monkey, Acute, Mevinphos, Phosdrin, Aerial Applicators
No. of Pages: 6
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-73/3
Title and Subtitle: Subtle changes in brain functions produced by single doses of mevinphos (Phosdrin)
Report Date: February 1973
Authors: Revzin AM
Abstract: Mevinphos (Phosdrin) was found to inhibit the amplitude of hippocampal evoked potentials in unanesthetized squirrel monkeys with chronically indwelling electrodes. The threshold dose was 0.050 mg/kg and the maximal dose studied was 0.200 mg/kg. Doses above 0.200 mg/kg induced hippocampal seizures.
Within the dose range of 0.050 mg/kg to 0.200 mg/kg the amplitude and duration of the inhibition were directly proportional to dose. No peripheral signs of poisoning, such as tremor or salivation, were seen at doses of 0.200 mg/kg or under. The discussion emphasizes that mevinphos produces changes in brain function in the absence of the peripheral symptomatology usually taken as indicators of poisoning by aerial applicator personnel.
Therefore, it is concluded that exposure to mevinphos may be unexpectedly hazardous since the aerial applicators may be unaware that they have been poisoned.
Key Words: Anticholinesterase, Pesticide, Hippocampus, Evoked Potentials, Squirrel Monkey, Acute, Mevinphos, Phosdrin, Aerial Applicators
No. of Pages: 6
Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012