Deterioration of spinal reflex in quails orally ingesting clioquinol.

Ataxia occurred in quails on long-term oral ingestion of clioquinol (CQ). Crossed extensor reflexes and spinal reflex potentials in the normal and the treated quails were recorded. The incidence of these reflexes was reduced in quails given CQ. As long as the spinal reflexes were detected, there were no prominent differences in the profiles of the reflex potentials between the normal groups and those with ataxia. Augmentation of the reflex potentials by strychnine in the treated group was more extensive than that in the normal group. The mechanisms of action by which CQ induces ataxia are discussed.