Skip to main content
Journal cover image

The neurotoxicity of cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides: Past and present evidence demonstrating persistent effects

Publication ,  Journal Article
Padilla, S
Published in: Inhalation Toxicology
January 1, 1995

It is assumed that the primary mechanism of action of carbamate and organophosphate insecticides is the inhibition of an enzyme, acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7). This enzyme normally maintains the proper level of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and peripheral nervous systems. When AChE activity is depressed due to exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides, the ordinarily rapid breakdown of acetylcholine is retarded, causing overstimulation of target cells, which, under extreme conditions, is termed a "cholinergic crisis." At the present time, these indicators of acute intoxication, that is, cholinesterase inhibition and/or clinical signs of cholinergic overstimulation, are used in the risk assessment process to regulate cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides. There is, however, accumulating evidence both from epidemiological studies and from experimental laboratory studies that short-term exposure to some cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides may precipitate long-term adverse effects. Recent experimental studies in our laboratory and in others have demonstrated that a single or short-term exposure to some cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides may produce behavioral or neurochemical changes lasting for days or months, presumably outlasting the cholinesterase inhibition. This body of amassing evidence should alert those in the scientific and regulatory arenas as to the multifaceted nature of the toxicity profile of cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides © 1995 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Inhalation Toxicology

DOI

ISSN

0895-8378

Publication Date

January 1, 1995

Volume

7

Issue

6

Start / End Page

903 / 907

Related Subject Headings

  • Toxicology
  • 3214 Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
  • 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Padilla, S. (1995). The neurotoxicity of cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides: Past and present evidence demonstrating persistent effects. Inhalation Toxicology, 7(6), 903–907. https://doi.org/10.3109/08958379509012798
Padilla, S. “The neurotoxicity of cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides: Past and present evidence demonstrating persistent effects.” Inhalation Toxicology 7, no. 6 (January 1, 1995): 903–7. https://doi.org/10.3109/08958379509012798.
Padilla, S. “The neurotoxicity of cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides: Past and present evidence demonstrating persistent effects.” Inhalation Toxicology, vol. 7, no. 6, Jan. 1995, pp. 903–07. Scopus, doi:10.3109/08958379509012798.
Journal cover image

Published In

Inhalation Toxicology

DOI

ISSN

0895-8378

Publication Date

January 1, 1995

Volume

7

Issue

6

Start / End Page

903 / 907

Related Subject Headings

  • Toxicology
  • 3214 Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
  • 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences