Neurologic manifestations of tri-O-cresyl phosphate delayed neurotoxicity in cats.

The neurotoxic effects of tri-o-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) were studied in the cat to define the elements of neurologic testing and to correlate dysfunction with the results of histopathologic studies. Neurologic examination of treated cats categorized clinical signs of TOCP-induced delayed neurotoxicity in the cat into four stages: leg weakness, mild ataxia, severe ataxia, and paresis. These deficits correlated well with histopathological lesions found in the central and peripheral systems. The improvement seen, is attributed to regeneration and/or collateral sprouting of remaining axons of peripheral nerves that would not be expected in tracts of the central nervous system.