[Forms of deposition of phosphoorganic cholinesterase inhibitors in the brain]

The content and hydrophobic properties (distribution coefficient in hexan : water) of organophosphorus inhibitors OPT of the following structure--R-O (CH3)/P/O/S C2H4SC2H5 have been studied in rat brain. On enlargement of the O-alkyl radical from ethyl to isopropyl and pinacolin hydrophobecity increases from 1 to 12 and 39, while the relative content of the chloroform extractable free OPT in brain, under conditions of uniform distribution, decreases from 11--18% to 3.2%. On incubation of the homogenate at 37 degrees C the further inhibition of the specific cholinesterase of the brain indicates the presence of an absolutely free form of OPT, the amount of which is not dependent on the degree of its hydrophobicity.