1/50. Long-term psychological and neurological complications of lindane poisoning.A thin, healthy, partial-vegetarian, white female, who was exposed to three doses of lindane (through the application of Kwell), developed a severe case of long-term lindane poisoning. review of the literature suggests that her toxicity was so severe because of the repetitive nature of her exposure and the fact that she was partly protein restricted when first exposed. She developed profound central nervous system toxicity, as well as skin and gastrointestinal changes, that persisted for 20 months. She was treated with high doses of Valium. It was noted that every time her Valium was diminished below a critical level, her symptoms tended to recur until she had adequately cleared the lindane from her system. We believe this is the longest term of poisoning reported following exposure to an organochloride insecticide. Her symptoms are well explained by the physiology of these compounds as described in the literature. The case is important, for it represents the longest persistence of symptoms clearly associated with poisoning by the potent gamma isomer of BHC-lindane.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = central nervous system, nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/50. Paradoxical lithium neurotoxicity: a report of five cases and a hypothesis about risk for neurotoxicity.There have been many reports of probable lithium-induced organic brain syndromes occurring when serum lithium levels are within or close to the therapeutic range. The authors report on five patients who developed clinical syndromes suggestive of severe neurotoxicity during lithium treatment. In all cases lithium levels were between .75 and 1.7 mEq/liter. The patients who developed neurotoxicity had markedly higher global ratings of psychotic symptomatology and anxiety in the pretoxic period than did patients who never deveoped neurotoxicity. When the acute manic state is characterized by marked psychotic symptoms and intense anxiety, it may be associated with increased vulnerability to the development of severe lithium neurotoxicity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.097487820880779keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/50. indomethacin induced psychosis.indomethacin is a commonly prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. While its adverse effects on gastrointestinal and renal systems are well described, its central nervous system effects are less well known. This case report describes an elderly man, prescribed indomethacin for gout, who presented with psychosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = central nervous system, nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/50. cannabis induced dopamine release: an in-vivo SPECT study.In a research study aimed at examining the alterations in dopaminergic function in schizophrenia, the authors identified a surreptitious case scenario which provided new insights into the subjective and neurochemical effects of cannabis. A 38-year-old drug-free schizophrenic patient took part in a single photon emission computerized tomographic (SPECT) study of the brain, and smoked cannabis secretively during a pause in the course of an imaging session. cannabis had an immediate calming effect, followed by a worsening of psychotic symptoms a few hours later. A comparison of the two sets of images, obtained before and immediately after smoking cannabis, indicated a 20% decrease in the striatal dopamine D2 receptor binding ratio, suggestive of increased synaptic dopaminergic activity. This observation offers a plausible biological explanation for the psychotogenic effects of cannabis in vulnerable individuals, and also raises speculations about an interaction between cannabinoid and dopaminergic systems in the brain reward pathways.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.19497564176156keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/50. pentobarbital for severe gamma-butyrolactone withdrawal.STUDY OBJECTIVE: Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) have become popular drugs of abuse. Acute overdose with either agent results in a well-recognized syndrome of central nervous system and respiratory depression. Recently, a withdrawal syndrome has been described for GHB. We report a severe form of GBL withdrawal, characterized by delirium, psychosis, autonomic instability, and resistance to benzodiazepine therapy. methods: We performed a chart review of consecutive admissions for GBL withdrawal in a regional toxicology treatment center. RESULTS: During a 6-month period, 5 patients presented with severe withdrawal attributed to abrupt GBL discontinuation. patients manifested tachycardia, hypertension, paranoid delusions, hallucinations, and rapid fluctuations in sensorium. Test results for ethanol and routine drugs of abuse were negative. Initial treatment with high doses of lorazepam proved ineffective. pentobarbital was then administered, resulting in excellent control of behavioral, autonomic, and psychiatric symptoms and in rapid reduction or avoidance of benzodiazepines. Median hospital stay was 5 days. No patient had respiratory depression or required mechanical ventilation. patients were discharged on tapering doses of benzodiazepines or pentobarbital and were free of psychotic symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSION: GBL discontinuation can result in severe withdrawal, necessitating ICU admission. pentobarbital may be more effective than benzodiazepines at controlling delirium in patients with abnormal vital signs, paranoid delusions, and hallucinations as a result of GBL withdrawal.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = central nervous system, nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/50. phenytoin/isradipine interaction causing severe neurologic toxicity.OBJECTIVE: To report a young man on phenytoin who developed acute neurologic symptoms after isradipine was introduced to his treatment regimen and discuss the possible causes of this drug interaction. CASE SUMMARY: A 21-year-old white man, with propionic acidemia and seizures treated with phenytoin and carbamazepine, was started on isradipine for essential hypertension. Soon thereafter, he developed acute and severe lethargy, ataxia, dysarthria, and weakness that resolved once isradipine was withheld. phenytoin concentrations were within normal limits or elevated, despite sequential reductions of phenytoin dosage, during concomitant isradipine administration. DISCUSSION: isradipine is a known inhibitor of the CYP450 isoenzyme family. Although the daily dose of phenytoin was decreased significantly, phenytoin blood concentrations remained high, suggesting a pharmacokinetic interaction. Previously, the patient had never had neurologic symptoms associated with increased phenytoin concentrations. This also indicates a likely pharmacodynamic interaction between phenytoin and the calcium-channel blocker. Both phenytoin and isradipine have been shown to bind to calcium channels and to inhibit calcium entry into the cells. Binding of isradipine to the brain has been described in humans and animals, and calcium-channel blockers have been shown to cause potentiation of anticonvulsant action of phenytoin. CONCLUSIONS: Acute pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between phenytoin and isradipine were probably responsible for the lethargy, dysarthria, ataxia, and weakness our patient developed. The combination of phenytoin and calcium-channel blockers should be used with caution.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.097487820880779keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/50. disulfiram-induced encephalopathy.Two patients with disulfiram-(Antabuse-)induced encephalopathy exhibited paranoid ideas, disorientation, impaired memory, ataxia, dysarthria, snout and grasp reflexes, and abnormal electroencephalograms. The first patient developed symptoms on two occasions, each time after disulfiram administration. The second patient experienced a generalized seizure followed by fulminant psychosis three weeks after starting disulfiram therapy. Spinal fluid examination in the latter patient revealed a low homovanillic acid (HVA) level. Since disulfiram inhibits dopamine oxidation, disulfiram-induced encephalopathy may be related to excess dopaminergic activity in the central nervous system.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = central nervous system, nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/50. Overview of existing research and information linking isotretinoin (accutane), depression, psychosis, and suicide.isotretinoin (Accutane; Hoffmann-La Roche, Nutley, NJ) is a drug closely related to the chemical structure of vitamin a. The pharmacology and toxicology of these two retinoids are similar enough to warrant comparison. Accutane is a powerful drug that its manufacturer, Roche, indicates is limited for severe recalcitrant nodular acne. This potency is also reflected in Accutane's well-known ability to produce severe birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Less well known is the risk of this lipid-soluble chemical to affect the central nervous system. Reports of intracranial hypertension, depression, and suicidal ideation with Accutane use have prompted an examination of its serious and life-threatening potential. Although Roche has added a warning to its product label for signs of depression, and suicidal ideation, this product is overprescribed for all forms of acne, including mild and moderate cases that have not been treated with alternative medications with less risk of depression and suicide. There is no contesting that this drug is effective at clearing up the most severe forms of acne, but the public must be informed of the proper limited indication for its use, because depression and suicide can follow in patients with no prior history of psychiatric symptoms or suicide attempts.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = central nervous system, nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/50. Acute psychotic reaction caused by topical cyclopentolate use for cycloplegic refraction before refractive surgery: case report and review of the literature.A 56-year-old woman was evaluated for the surgical correction of hyperopia ( 3.0 diopters). Two drops of cyclopentolate 1% were instilled in both eyes for measurement of the cycloplegic refraction and wavefront analysis. Immediately after the second instillation, the patient reported drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. Ten minutes later, stimulatory central nervous system symptoms in the form of restlessness, cheerfulness, and a 20-minute-long roar of laughter were observed, interrupted by a new sedative phase. Basic medical and neurologic examinations were unremarkable except for gait ataxia. Four hours later, the examination was continued uneventfully. As surgical treatment of refractive errors and measurement of cycloplegic refraction using cyclopentolate become more frequent, ophthalmologists should be aware of this unusual acute event.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = central nervous system, nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/50. Adverse psychiatric effects of systemic glucocorticoid therapy.Glucocorticoid therapy causes psychiatric side effects in many patients. Although psychiatric side effects occur most commonly in women and middle-aged patients, no clinical features have been identified to predict which patients are at risk. The most frequent side effects are mood changes ranging from mild euphoria to hypomania, but other reactions, including depression, dementia and psychosis, are possible. The incidence of psychiatric side effects is directly related to dosage. The mechanism by which glucocorticoids produce psychiatric symptoms is probably multifactorial, including both direct and indirect effects on the brain. Psychiatric symptoms usually resolve with dosage reduction or controlled withdrawal of glucocorticoids, but antipsychotic medication may be indicated if symptoms are severe or prolonged.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.097487820880779keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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