Changes in spinal cord reflexes following subchronic exposure to soman and sarin

The organophosphorus agents soman and sarin were administered subchronically and the spinal monosynaptic (MSR) and dorsal root (DRR) reflexes were assessed in spinal cord-transected cats. Neither soman nor sarin produced behavioral signs of delayed neurotoxicity. However, both soman and sarin significantly reduced the area under the MSR and DRR with only minimal changes in the excitability of the potentials as determined using quipazine, a serotonin agonist. The changes observed in these reflexes resulting from soman or sarin exposure are discussed in relation to alterations in the central terminals of primary afferent neurons.