Acute toxicity of methyl isocyanate in mammals. III. Electroencephalographic changes in rabbits.

Electroencephalographic (EEG) changes in rabbits following subcutaneous administration of methyl isocyanate (MIC) remained essentially similar at both 0.5 LD50 and 1.0 LD50 except for the magnitude. There was slowing of the EEG, depicting a synchronized pattern with frequent delta waves. Compressed spectral analysis revealed a spreading of power to a higher frequency. Power spectral analysis showed a reduction in all four bands in the frontal-transverse leads. This study demonstrates that MIC intoxication leads to the impairment of brain function, probably through stagnant hypoxia.