Changes in the conditioned reflex and blood cholinesterase activity of animals under the influence of the phosphorganic insecticide, phosphamide

Abstract

In studying the action of phosphamide, a phosphorganic insecticide, on the higher nervous activity of animals with the aid of the conditioned reflex method, it was established that in doses and concentrations not provoking any visible signs of poisoning this preparation caused changes in the conditioned reflex activity of cats and depression of cholinesterase activity of the serum and erythrocytes of these animals. Changes in the conditioned reflex activity were observed in depression of cholinesterase of erythrocytes and serum by 40 and more per cent, i.e., depression of cholinesterase activity was an earlier and a more sensitive index of intoxication. Disturbances of the higher nervous activity observed in the animals during the action of phosphamide were manifested in intensified active inhibition (differential and extinction), reduction of conditioned reflexes according to the anesthetic phase type; by the nature of the changes these disturbances were similar to those of the higher nervous activity in acetylcholine poisoning.