Parkinsonism induced by solvent abuse
Corresponding Author
Dr. Ryan J. Uitti MD
Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia
Neurodegenertative Disorders Centre, University Hospital, UBC Site, Purdy Pavilion, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 2B5Search for more papers by this authorBarry J. Snow MD
Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia
Search for more papers by this authorHitoshi Shinotoh MD
Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia
Search for more papers by this authorFrancois J. G. Vingerhoets MD
Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia
Search for more papers by this authorMargo Hayward RN
Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia
Search for more papers by this authorStanley Hashimoto MD
Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia
Search for more papers by this authorJohn Richmond BA
Strathcona Mental Health Team, Vancouver, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorSanford P. Markey PhD
Section of Analytical Biochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD
Search for more papers by this authorCarol J. Markey BS
Section of Analytical Biochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD
Search for more papers by this authorDonald B. Calne DM
Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Dr. Ryan J. Uitti MD
Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia
Neurodegenertative Disorders Centre, University Hospital, UBC Site, Purdy Pavilion, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 2B5Search for more papers by this authorBarry J. Snow MD
Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia
Search for more papers by this authorHitoshi Shinotoh MD
Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia
Search for more papers by this authorFrancois J. G. Vingerhoets MD
Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia
Search for more papers by this authorMargo Hayward RN
Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia
Search for more papers by this authorStanley Hashimoto MD
Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia
Search for more papers by this authorJohn Richmond BA
Strathcona Mental Health Team, Vancouver, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorSanford P. Markey PhD
Section of Analytical Biochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD
Search for more papers by this authorCarol J. Markey BS
Section of Analytical Biochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD
Search for more papers by this authorDonald B. Calne DM
Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
We report the first description of a patient with parkinsonism induced by solvent abuse. Our patient developed parkinsonism acutely, following heavy abuse of lacquer thinner. Her clinical deficits wee indistinguishable from idiopathic parkinsonism (Parkinson's disease) and she responded to levodopa. Parkinsonism has persisted for more than 3 months. Brain computed tomography was normal. Positron emission tomographic studies showed normal fluorodopa uptake and reduced raclopride binding, indicating an unusual disturbance of striatal dopaminergic function. This patient suggests that organic solvents may cause parkinsonism in susceptible individuals.
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