Ataxia in Hens poisoned by Triparaethylphenyl Phosphate

Abstract

IT has been known for almost 30 years that the administration of triorthocresyl phosphate and certain other organo-phosphorus compounds produces demyelination in the central and peripheral nervous system of some species. Earl and Thompson¹suggested that the lesions might be associated with the anticholinesterase activity of the drugs in vivo, but Davison² later demonstrated that some other organo-phosphorus compounds, which were equally effective as inhibitors of cholinesterase, did not cause demyelination or ataxia. More recently another arylphosphate, triparaethylphenyl phosphate, has been synthesized, which causes ataxia in hens³, but, unlike the other demy elinating agents of this class, it does not possess demonstrable anticholin-esterase activity (Aldridge, W. N., and Barnes, J. M., personal communication). The results with this material appear to provide conclusive evidence that the organo-phosphorus compounds do not produce demyelination by virtue of their anticholinesterase effects.