Manganese-induced Parkinsonism associated with methcathinone (Ephedrone) abuse.
BACKGROUND
Manganese intoxication may lead to a levodopa-resistant, akinetic-rigid syndrome. A new form of presumed manganese poisoning has been reported in drug-addicted persons from Russia, Ukraine, and Estonia who have intravenously injected self-prepared methcathinone hydrochloride (Ephedrone).


METHODS
A 36-year-old man from Azerbaijan with hepatitis C and only modest hepatic synthetic dysfunction developed rapid-onset, levodopa-resistant parkinsonism with profound hypophonia.


CONCLUSIONS
Ephedronic encephalopathy outside the region of the former Soviet Union may become a more widespread public health problem as a result of global travel and the easy availability of the recipe for synthesis of methcathinone on the Internet.
de Bie
Rob M A
RM
Movement Disorder Center, University of Toronto, Ontaio, Canada.
Gladstone
Richard M
RM
Strafella
Antonio P
AP
Ko
Ji-Hyun
JH
Lang
Anthony E
AE
D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D020149:Manganese Poisoning / Q000150:complications*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D011427:Propiophenones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
D011427:Propiophenones; C047806:monomethylpropion