title: [Electrophysiological study of neuromuscular function in a population poisoned by lead].
abstract: A comprehensive electrophysiological examination of the peripheral nervous system was carried out in 12 patients who proved to be toxicated with lead (high lead blood levels, and diminished activity of the delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase, ALA D, in erythrocytes). Maximal motor nerve conduction velocities and terminal latencies were investigated in the median, radial and deep peroneal nerves. Also the amplitude of the evoked muscle response (M wave) was measured in thenar, extensor longus and extensor digitorium brevis muscles. Sensory conduction velocity and amplitude of the nerve compound action potential were measured at the median nerve. Tibialis anterior muscle responses to deep peroneal nerve repetitive stimulation were also explored. Conventional needle electromyogram was performed in the deltoid and tibialis anterior muscles. Slight diminished motor and sensory conduction velocities were found as well as a reduction of the amplitude of the evoked muscle response of the compound sensory action potential. Four out of the 12 patients tested showed either decremental or incremental amplitude of the muscle response with nerve repetitive stimulation. A electromyographical diminished interference pattern was found in all patients tested. Most of the remaining motor unit potentials were fragmented or polyphasic. Just one patient disclosed potentials of enhanced duration and amplitude. No relationship was found between blood lead levels or ALA D erythrocytes concentration and the different electrophysiological tests performed, except between reduced ALA D concentration and diminished amplitudes of the M wave and of the sensory compound action potential, and also between ALA D and diminished radial motor conduction velocity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: División Neurología, Hospital J. M. Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Genovese
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panizza
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Battle
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Sica
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004576:Electromyography; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase / Q000097:blood; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
chemical_list: D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase
vernacular_title: Estudio electrofisiológico de la función neuromuscular en una población intoxicada con plomo.