Clinical, neuroimaging and neurophysiological features in addicts with manganese-ephedrone exposure

• Objective - To identify biomarkers supporting the clinical diagnosis of manganism in patients several years after exposure to manganese (Mn). Methods - Neurophysiological examinations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single-photon emission computed tomography and fluorodeoxyglycose (FDG) positron emission tomography were performed in four former ephedrone addicts with extrapyramidal symptoms. Results - Peripheral nervous system was not affected. No patients had reduced uptake of (123)I Ioflupane in the striatum. MRI signal intensities were slightly changed in the basal ganglia. All patients showed a widespread, but not uniform, pathological pattern of FDG uptake with changes mainly located to the central part of the brain including the basal ganglia and the surrounding white matter. Conclusions - Presynaptic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway are intact in Mn-induced parkinsonism after prolonged abstinence from ephedrone. The diagnosis is principally based on clinical signs and the history of drug abuse.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Analytisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Analytical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

drug addiction

ephedrone

manganism

methcathinone

neuroimaging

neurophysiology

parkinsonism

Neurology

Neurologi

Analytical chemistry

Analytisk kemi

Neurology

Neurologi

Analytical Chemistry

Analytisk kemi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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