Neuropsychiatric aspects of carbon monoxide poisoning: a review and single case report suggesting a role for amphetamines.
Sublethal exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) can result in severe neurologic and psychiatric complications. Once in the body, CO can wreak havoc on virtually every organ system, with the brain being the most vulnerable to the damaging effects. Neuropathological injury is frequently widespread, and while white matter injury is most common, both gray and white matter injury occurs. Consequently, no neurologic or psychiatric syndrome is pathognomonic for CO poisoning. There are currently no effective treatments for the delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae of CO poisoning, and medical management focuses on correcting immediate symptoms through the use of oxygen, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and supportive measures. Preliminary data suggest, however, that dopaminergic agents may be useful for the treatment of some of the delayed sequelae of CO neurotoxicity. To our knowledge, ours is the first case report in which dextroamphetamine (DAMP), a potent dopaminergic agent, has been used for treating the neuropsychiatric symptoms of CO poisoning. Our data demonstrate that it is effective in shortening cognitive and motor recovery time, that psychostimulant actions occur slightly sooner than locomotor effects, and that theraputic benefit is most dramatic within the first ten days of use. Therefore, DAMP appears to be a pharmacological agent that can be combined with supportive interventions to reverse, attenuate, or symptomatically improve the delayed sequelae that occur in these patients.
Smallwood
P
P
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA.
Murray
G B
GB
D000662:Amphetamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000662:Amphetamines