title: Parkinsonism and dystonia caused by the illicit use of ephedrone--a longitudinal study.
abstract: A neurological syndrome characterized by levodopa unresponsive bradykinesia, retropulsion with falls backwards, dysarthria, gait disturbance, dystonia, and emotional lability was identified in 13 male opiate addicts following the prolonged intravenous use of ephedrone (methcathinone), a central nervous stimulant prepared from pseudoephedrine, potassium permanganate, and vinegar. The natural history, response to treatment, and clinical features has been studied, and MR and dopamine transporter SPECT brain imaging were carried out. Pubic hair was sampled for manganese. The clinical and radiological picture closely resembled previous reports of chronic manganese poisoning and increased mean manganese level in pubic hair observed for at least 1 year after cessation of ephedrone. Odor identification was intact. Cognitive assessment showed a mild executive dysfunction and a mild depression. DaTSCANs were all normal. The neurological syndrome bears some similarities to PSP but differs from Parkinson's disease. Delayed neurological progression despite discontinuation of ephedrone occurred in one-third of cases. Ephedrone poisoning should be considered as a possible cause of secondary Parkinsonism in young adults, particularly from Eastern Europe.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies, UCL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Selikhova
authors.forename: Ljuda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fedoryshyn
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matviyenko
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Komnatska
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kyrylchuk
authors.forename: Lesrek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krolicki
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: H Rolf
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Jäger
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lees
authors.forename: Yanush
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sanotsky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D020821:Dystonic Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000506:poisoning*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011427:Propiophenones / Q000506:poisoning*; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011427:Propiophenones; C047806:monomethylpropion; D008345:Manganese