Neurotoxicologic examination of rats exposed to 1,1,1-trichloroethane vapor for 13 weeks

• Published in: Neurotoxicology and teratology Vol. 15; no. 5; p. 313
• Main Authors: Mattsson, J L, Albee, R R, Lomax, L G, Beekman, M J, Spencer, P J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1993
• Subjects: Animals; Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Body Temperature - drug effects; Body Weight - drug effects; Electrodes, Implanted; Electroencephalography - drug effects; Evoked Potentials - drug effects; Evoked Potentials, Auditory - drug effects; Evoked Potentials, Visual - drug effects; Female; Male; Nervous System Diseases - chemically induced; Nervous System Diseases - pathology; Pilot Projects; Psychomotor Performance - drug effects; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Solvents - toxicity; Trichloroethanes - toxicity
• ISSN: 0892-0362
• DOI: 10.1016/0892-0362(93)90033-K

Large evoked potential and EEG changes occurred in a pilot study in Fisher 344 rats during exposure to 2000 ppm of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-T; a cleaning solvent with anesthetic properties). In the main study, rats were evaluated for persistent nervous system effects the week following exposure to 0, 200, 630, or 2000 ppm 1,1,1-T for 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 13 weeks. Rats were clinically examined regularly and were given a functional observational battery monthly (FOB, including forelimb and hindlimb grip performance testing). After 13 weeks of exposure, the rats were evaluated by FOB and by visual, auditory, somatosensory, and caudal nerve-evoked potentials. After functional testing, a subgroup of rats had histopathologic examination of brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and limb muscles. There were no post-exposure treatment-related findings in any parameter (FOB observations plus 39 dependent variables) except for a slightly smaller forelimb grip performance in the 2000-ppm exposure group. There was no recognized toxicologic significance for the difference in forelimb grip performance; a lack of findings in any other clinical, evoked potential or morphologic parameter did not support a diagnosis of neurotoxicity.