EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON MOTOR-RESPONSES IN ORGANOPHOSPHATE INTOXICATION

We studied the effect of temperature on median motor responses in a 41 -year-old man with organophosphate intoxication. At 32 degrees C, a no rmal amplitude compound motor action potential (CMAP) and a smaller sp ontaneous repetitive discharge (SRMAP) were present. With warming to 3 9 degrees C, the CMAP amplitude decreased 20%, while the SRMAP amplitu de decreased 33%. With cooling to 14 degrees C, the CMAP amplitude dec reased 9%, while the SRMAP became unobtainable. Possible mechanisms fo r these findings are discussed. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.