The anomalous behaviour of dimethyl phosphates in the biochemical test for delayed neurotoxicity

Several dimethyl phosphate behave anomalously in tests for delayed neurotoxicity. Doses given to hens caused high inhibition of brain neurotoxic esterase (NTE) but no ataxia. Less inhibition of NTE was seen in spinal cord than in brain. Di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate caused equal inhibition of NTE in brain and cord. When dosing with dimethyl phosphates was repeated NTE inhibition in cord increased and pair-dosed birds became ataxic. In vitro brain and cord NTE were indistinguishable but the in vivo discrepancy between inhibition of brain and cord NTE was matched by a similar discrepancy in inhibition of AChE. It appears that ataxia arises from inhibition of spinal cord NTE and that only in the present cases (among about 200) was the effect in brain not a perfect biochemical monitor.