The neural tolerance of the new non-ionic dimer iodixanol was compared with that of the clinically used monomer iohexol and the dimer iotrolan. Behaviour of non-anaesthetised rabbits was monitored for 3 hours after intracisternal injection, at a dose-volume of I ml/kg of iodixanol 150 mg IIml, iodixanol 320 mg IIml, iohexol 350 mg IIml, or iotrolan 300 mg IIml (10 rabbits in each group). Iotrolan induced generalised seizures in 5 rabbits, iodixanol 320 mg IIml in 2 rabbits, and iodixanol 150 mg IIml in one rabbit. No excitative changes were observed in rabbits injected with iohexol, but compared with the dimeric contrast media the difference was not significant. Iohexol produced significantly more severe depressive changes than iodixanol 150 mg IIml (p