Skip to main content

Neurotoxic Disorders

  • Chapter
Atlas of Clinical Neurology

Abstract

The human nervous system is sensitive to many exogenous substances found in nature or synthesized by chemists. The world abounds with potential neurologic toxins, including social poisons; biologic agents including plant and animal poisons; radiation and electricity; heavy metals; volatile organic compounds (VOCs); insecticides and pesticides; air pollutants; food additives; and pharmacologic agents. The complex architecture of neural cells, their high-energy requirements, and the requirement for electrochemical transmission all combine to place the nervous system at high risk for damage from these agents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 199.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Price DL, Griffin JW: Neurons and ensheathing cells as targets of disease processes. In Experimental and Clinical Neurotoxicology. Edited by Spencer PS, Schaumburg HH. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins: 1980:2–23.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Zaninovic’ V: Possible etiologies for tropical spastic paraparesis and human T lymphotropic virus I-associated myelopathy. Braz J Med Biol Res 2004, 37:1–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Rosling H: Cassava Toxicity and Food Security, edn 2. Uppsala, Sweden: Tryck Kontact; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Halstead BW: Poisonous and Venomous Marine Animals of the World, edn 2. Princeton, NJ: Darwin Press; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Toxic Fish and Mollusks. Air Training Command of Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Information Bulletin no. 12, stock no. 008-070-00426-7, class no. D301.38/8:12. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; June 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Villee CA, Solomon EP, Martin CE, et al.: Biology, edn 2. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Vinken PJ, Bruyn GW: Handbook of Clinical Neurology, vol 37. Intoxications of the Nervous System, part II. New York: North-Holland Publishing; 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Tu AT: Handbook of Natural Toxins, vol 3. Marine Toxins and Venoms. New York: Marcel Dekker; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Venomous Arthropod Handbook. USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas 78235. Stock no. 008-070-00397-0, catalog no. D 301-35:161/43. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Saida K, Mendell JR, Sahenk Z: Peripheral nerve changes induced by local application of bee venom. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 1977, 36:783–796.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Clarren SK: Recognition of fetal alcohol syndrome. JAMA 1981, 245:2436–2439.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Kisby GE, Ellison M, Spencer PS: Content of the neurotoxins cycasin (methylazoxymethanol beta-D-glucoside) and BMAA (beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine) in cycad flour prepared by Guam Chamorros. Neurology 1992, 42:1336–1340.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Zhang ZX, Anderson DW, Mantel N, Roman GC: Motor neuron disease on Guam: geographic and familial occurrence 1956-85. Acta Neurol Scand 1996, 94:51–59.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Lieber CS: Medical and Nutritional Complications of Alcoholism: Mechanisms and Management. New York: Plenum Press; 1992:165–183.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  15. Kamran S, Bakshi R: MRI in chronic toluene abuse, low signal in the cerebral cortex on T2-weighted images. Neuroradiology 1998, 40:519–521.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Borenstein AR, Mortimer JA, Schofield E, et al.: Cycad exposure and risk of dementia, MCI, and PDC in the Chamorro population of Guam. Neurology 2007, 68:1764–1771.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Chapon F, Lechevalier B, Da Silva DC, et al.: Neuropathies a la thalidomide. Rev Neurol (Paris) 1985, 141:719–728.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Mena I, Court J, Fuenzalida S, et al.: Modification of chronic manganese poisoning: treatment with L-dopa or 5-OH tryptophane. N Engl J Med 1970, 282:5–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Spillane JD: An Atlas of Clinical Neurology. London: Oxford; 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Toro-Gonzalez G, Roman-Campos G, de Roman LN: Neurologia Tropical: Aspectos Neuropatologicos de la Medicina Tropical. Bogota: Colombiana, Ltd.; 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Jiang Y, Zheng W, Long L, et al.: Brain magnetic resonance imaging and manganese concentration in red blood cells of smelting workers: search for biomarkers of manganese exposure. Neurotoxicology 2007, 28:126–135.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Alderson K, Holds JB, Anderson RL: Botulinum-induced alteration of nerve-muscle interactions in the human orbicularis oculi following treatment for blepharospasm. Neurology 1991, 41:1800–1805.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Walch RJ, Amato AA: Toxic myopathies. Neurol Clin 2005, 23:397–428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Schneider JS, Gupta M: Current Concepts in Parkinson’s Disease Research. Seattle: Hogrefe & Huber; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Spillane JD: Tropical Neurology. London: Oxford University Press; 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Sanborn GE, Selhorst JB, Calabrese VP, Taylor JR: Pseudomotor cerebri and insecticide intoxication. Neurology 1979, 29:1222–1227.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Majoos FL, Marais AD, Ames FR: Thallium poisoning. S Afr Med J 1983, 64:328–330.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Poirier RH: The corneal limbus. In Corneal Disorders: Clinical Diagnosis and Management. Edited by Leibowitz HM. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1984:185–211.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Murata AS, Asaba H, Hiraishi K, et al.: Magnetic resonance imaging findings on carbon monoxide intoxicate. J Neuroimaging 1993, 3:128–131.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Lapresle J, Fardeau M: The central nervous system and carbon monoxide poisoning. II: Anatomical study of brain lesions following intoxication with carbon monoxide (22 cases). Prog Brain Res 1967, 24:31–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Towfighi J, Gonatas NK, McCree L: Hexachlorophene-induced changes in central and peripheral myelinated axons of developing and adult rats. Lab Invest 1975, 31:712–721.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Towfighi J, Gonatas NK, McCree L: Hexachlorophene neuropathy in rats. Lab Invest 1973, 29:428–436.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Schaumburg HH, Berger AR, Thomas PK: Disorders of Peripheral Nerves, edn 2. Philadelphia: FA Davis; 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Tshala-Katumbay DD, Palmer VS, Kayton RJ, et al.: A new murine model of giant proximal axonopathy. Acta Neuropathol 2005, 109:405–410.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Spencer PS, Sterman AB, Horoupian D, Bischoff M: Neurotoxic changes in rats exposed to the fragrance compound acetyl ethyl tetramethyl tetralin. Neurotoxicology 1979, 1:221–237.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Spencer PS, Sterman AB, Horoupian DS, Foulds MM: Neurotoxic fragrance produces ceroid and myelin disease. Science 1979, 204:633–635.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Gold BG, Lowndes HE: Electrophysiological investigation of B,B’-iminodipropionitrile neuropathy: intracellular recordings in spinal cord. Brain Res 1984, 308:235–244.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Gold BG: The pathophysiology of proximal neurofilamentous giant axonal swellings: implications for the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Toxicology 1987, 46:125–139.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Current Medicine Group LLC, part of Springer Science+Business Media LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Prockop, L.D., Brock, C., Spencer, P.S. (2009). Neurotoxic Disorders. In: Rosenberg, R.N. (eds) Atlas of Clinical Neurology. Current Medicine Group. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-57340-359-7_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-57340-359-7_14

  • Publisher Name: Current Medicine Group

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-57340-283-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-57340-359-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics