Abstract |
A 50-year-old chemical engineer, routinely screened for occupational arsenic exposure, was admitted with a delirium for which no known etiology was found. Elevated levels of arsenic were found in the urine and hair. The patient received chelation treatment with British anti-Lewisite; substantial amounts of arsenic were excreted and the toxic encephalopathy improved gradually over the 8-month follow-up period. The patient was tested at 6 weeks, 4 months, and 8 months postdelirium with a battery of neuropsychological tasks. The pattern of results showed verbal learning and memory to be severely impaired while tests of general intellectual abilities and language remained unaffected. Follow-up examinations with no subsequent reexposure revealed improvements on specific cognitive tasks. It is unclear whether recovery of cortical functions occurred or if compensatory strategies were developed. It is proposed that a subacute exposure to arsenic may have contributed to the neuropsychological deficits.
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Authors | K Bolla-Wilson, M L Bleecker |
Journal | Journal of occupational medicine. : official publication of the Industrial Medical Association
(J Occup Med)
Vol. 29
Issue 6
Pg. 500-3
(Jun 1987)
ISSN: 0096-1736 [Print] United States |
PMID | 3612324
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Arsenic
(adverse effects, urine)
- Auditory Perceptual Disorders
(chemically induced)
- Cognition Disorders
(chemically induced)
- Consciousness Disorders
(chemically induced)
- Delirium
(chemically induced)
- Dimercaprol
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Hallucinations
(chemically induced)
- Humans
- Male
- Mental Processes
(drug effects)
- Middle Aged
- Neuropsychological Tests
- Occupational Diseases
(chemically induced)
- Visual Perception
(drug effects)
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