New findings and symptomatic treatment for neurolathyrism, a motor neuron disease occurring in north west Bangladesh.

Abstract

Neurolathyrism is a form of spastic paraparesis caused by the neuroexcitatory amino acid 3-N-oxalyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (beta-ODAP) present in the seeds and foliage of Lathyrus sativus. The disease is irreversible and usually nonprogressive. Tolperisone HCl, a centrally acting muscle relaxant, has been shown to reduce significantly the spasticity in neurolathyrism patients. Sporadic occurrence of HTLV-1 infection (0.9%) and of osteolathyrism was found among the neurolathyrism patients. Osteolathyrism is linked to the consumption of the green shoots of Lathyrus sativus.

• Authors: A Haque, M Hossain, J K Khan, Y H Kuo, F Lambein, J De Reuck
• Journal: Paraplegia (Paraplegia) Vol. 32 Issue 3 Pg. 193-5 (Mar 1994) ISSN: 0031-1758 [Print] England
• PMID: 8008424 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• HTLV-I Antibodies
• Tolperisone

Topics

• Bangladesh
• Bone Diseases (complications)
• HTLV-I Antibodies (blood, cerebrospinal fluid)
• Humans
• Lathyrism (complications, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Motor Neuron Disease (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic (drug therapy, immunology, physiopathology)
• Tolperisone (therapeutic use)