The effect of cismethrin on the rat dorsal root potentials

Dorsal root potentials were recorded from urethane-anaesthetised rats. Bicuculline, a recognised GABA antagonist, reduced the amplitude of the potential to 67% of control. Cismethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, enhanced the potential to 142% of control values. The convulsions associated with cismethrin poisoning therefore are not produced by an antagonism of GABA-mediated inhibitory transmission.