Acute Changes in Human EEG After Exposure to Low Doses of Oxydemeton
Methyl
Axel Muttray*, Frank Padberg*, Detlev Jung*, Hans R. Rohlfing**, Monika
Schulz**, Johannes Konietzko*
*Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine,
University of Mainz, Germany
**SLVA Oppenheim, Experimental Station for Horticulture, Oppenheim, Germany
(1)Corresponding author: Dr. A. M. Muttray
Institut für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität
Obere Zahlbacher Straße 67, 55131 Mainz, Germany
Telephone: 06131/173121, Fax: 06131/176680
Abbreviations:
EEG: electroencephalogram
qEEG: quantitative electroencephalogram
CEJOEM 1996; 2(4):367-374
Abstract: Biological monitoring of farmers exposed
to organophosphorus pesticides mainly consists of determination of cholinesterase
activity. Animal experiments indicate that quantitative EEG (qEEG) analysis
may be more sensitive, but there are no data concerning human beings. In
a pilot study we recorded the EEG of farmers spraying oxydemeton methyl.
The exposure of 30 minutes was low and the cholinesterase remained unchanged.
In the closed eye condition spectral power of the ß2-band of the
higher exposed subgroup (n=4) was significantly elevated in comparison
to the lower exposed subgroup (n=7). This finding corresponds to the changes
in qEEG that were reported from workers and monkeys exposed to sarin. Regarding
the low exposure of the farmers, it is improbable that the changes in EEG
are only due to inhibition of cholinesterase in the brain. Also, interactions
with presynaptic muscarinic receptors should be considered.
Key words: Exposure, pesticides, oxydemeton methyl, cholinesterase,
EEG
Acknowledgements
This study was partly supported by grant of the Zentrum
für Umweltforschung, University of Mainz (Kapitel 1512 Titel 54701/81201).
The authors are very grateful to Dr. Lewalter, Bayer AG, for the determination
of oxydemeton methyl, and to Mr. Becker, Institut für Technik der
Fachhochschule Geisenheim, for his helpful work regarding the measurement
of exposure. EEG data are part of the medical dissertation of F. Padberg,
in preparation.
Received: 5 August 1996
Accepted: 14 November 1996
Posted: 31 May 2000 |
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