Neuropsychological impairment following inorganic arsenic exposure.

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.

• 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)

Chemical References

• Dimercaprol
• Arsenic

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)