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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—A case report and mechanistic review of the association with toluene and other volatile organic compounds
Author(s) -
Ratner Marcia H.,
Jabre Joe F.,
Ewing William M.,
AbouDonia Mohamed,
Oliver L. Christine
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22791
Subject(s) - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , medicine , disease , dopaminergic , neuroscience , psychiatry , pathology , dopamine , psychology
Unmasking of latent neurodegenerative disease has been reported following exposure to chemicals that share one or more mechanisms of action in common with those implicated in the specific disease. For example, unmasking of latent Parkinson's disease (PD) has been associated with exposure to anti‐dopaminergic agents, while the progression of pre‐existing mild cognitive impairment and unmasking of latent Alzheimer's disease has been associated with exposure to general anesthetic agents which promote Aβ protein aggregation. This literature review and clinical case report about a 45‐year‐old man with no family history of motor neuron disease who developed overt symptoms of a neuromuscular disorder in close temporal association with his unwitting occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) puts forth the hypothesis that exposure to VOCs such as toluene, which disrupt motor function and increase oxidative stress, can unmask latent ALS type neuromuscular disorder in susceptible individuals.