Acute sulfolane exposure produces temperature-independent and dependent changes in visual evoked potentials

Sulfolane (tetrahydrothiophene-1, 1-dioxide) is a commercially important solvent. This report describes the consequences of acute exposure to sulfolane upon the visual system, as measured using flash evoked potentials (FEPs) and pattern reversal evoked potentials (PREPs). A single injection of either 1/2 or 1/4, but not 1/8 the IP LD50 (1600 mg/kg) produced significant changes in both FEPs and PREPs which were apparent within 1 hour and lasted longer than 6 hours. Amplitudes of FEP peaks to the first of a pair of stimuli were generally increased compared to control, an effect which was not temperature-dependent. In addition, sulfolane produced an ambient temperature- and dose-dependent hypothermia. Sulfolane increased latencies of FEP and PREP peaks, but attenuating hypothermia eliminated the effect of sulfolane on latencies.