Loss of postural reflexes in long-term occupational solvent exposure.
Inhalation of organic solvents has long been known to damage various nervous systems, including cerebellum, brainstem, and pyramidal tract. However, little is known about the damage of the dopaminergic system. We report two patients with occupational long-term solvent exposure who developed postural instability without other features of parkinsonism. The concentration of HVA in CSF was decreased and the retropulsion was dramatically improved after the administration of levodopa. These findings indicate that the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons were disturbed by chronic solvent exposure, resulting in the loss of postural reflexes.
Kuriwaka
Rika
R
First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Tokushima, Japan. yonchu@ba.wakwak.com
Mitsui
Takao
T
Fujiwara
Soichiro
S
Nishida
Yoshihiko
Y
Matsumoto
Toshio
T
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001284:Atrophy; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011187:Posture; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects*; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects*; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D012997:Solvents; D006719:Homovanillic Acid