Guest guest Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 What is Neurotoxicity? Neurotoxicity NIH NINDS National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/neurotoxicity/neurotoxicity.htm Neurotoxicity occurs when the exposure to natural or manmade toxicsubstances (neurotoxicants) alters the normal activity of thenervous system. This can eventually disrupt or even kill neurons,key cells that transmit and process signals in the brain and otherparts of the nervous system. Neurotoxicity can result from exposure to substances used inchemotherapy, radiation treatment, drug therapies, and organtransplants, as well as exposure to heavy metals such as lead andmercury, certain foods and food additives, pesticides, industrialand/or cleaning solvents, cosmetics, and some naturally occurringsubstances. Symptoms may appear immediately after exposure or be delayed. Theymay include limb weakness or numbness; loss of memory, vision,and/or intellect; headache; cognitive and behavioral problems; andsexual dysfunction. Individuals with certain disorders may beespecially vulnerable to neurotoxicants. Is there any treatment? Treatment involves eliminating or reducing exposure to the toxicsubstance, followed by symptomatic and supportive therapy. What is the prognosis? The prognosis depends upon the length and degree of exposure and theseverity of neurological injury. In some instances, exposure toneurotoxicants can be fatal. In others, patients may survive but notfully recover. In other situations, many individuals recovercompletely after treatment. What research is being done? The NINDS supports research on disorders of the brain and nervoussystem such as neurotoxicity, aimed at learning more about thesedisorders and finding ways to prevent and treat them. Scientists areinvestigating the role occupational or environmental toxicants haveon progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson'sdisease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, anddementia. Also being studied are the mechanisms that triggerneuroimmune responses in the central nervous system and thepossibility that some brain disorders in children may occur whenenvironmental triggers interact with genes. ....Win a trip with your 3 best buddies. Enter today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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