Dimercaptosuccinic acid in the treatment of depression following lead exposure.
Long-term exposure to lead is known to cause a variety of neurotoxic manifestations, including symptoms of depression. Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), a recently approved oral chelating agent, can diminish the body burden of lead, but few cases of documented clinical improvement following treatment have been reported. We report a case of moderate to severe depression in a long-term lead worker that appeared to respond dramatically to DMSA. This response suggests a possible therapeutic role for DMSA in the treatment of depression in lead-exposed patients.
Frumkin
H
H
Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, Emory University School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA 30329.
Gerr
F
F
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D004113:Succimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004113:Succimer