Toxic leukoencephalopathy
- Toxic leukoencephalopathy
Toxic leukoencephalopathy or toxic spongiform leukoencephalopathy is a condition that is characterized by progressive damage (-pathy), of the white matter (leuko-) of the brain (-encephalo-) due to ingested toxins (toxic).
It is seen in some people who ingest heroin by route of smoking (chasing the dragon). It is currently unknown by what means the smoking of heroin causes the condition.
Toxic leukoencephalopathy affects white matter tracts devoted to higher cerebral function, causing clinical features that range from inattention, forgetfulness, and changes in personality to dementia, coma, and death. [cite journal |author=Filley CM, Kleinschmidt-DeMasters BK |title=Toxic leukoencephalopathy |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=345 |issue=6 |pages=425–32 |year=2001 |month=August |pmid=11496854 |doi= |url=http://content.nejm.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=short&pmid=11496854&promo=ONFLNS19] Obvious signs of the condition are difficulty with cognitive function and equilibrioception.Fact|date=June 2007
Notes
External links
*cite journal |author=Hill MD, Cooper PW, Perry JR |title=Chasing the dragon--neurological toxicity associated with inhalation of heroin vapour: case report |journal=CMAJ |volume=162 |issue=2 |pages=236–8 |year=2000 |month=January |pmid=10674060 |pmc=1232277 |doi= |url=http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10674060
* [http://www.angelfire.com/retro/michaelpoon168/heroin%20spongiform_leukoencephalopathy.htm Spongiform leukoencephalopathy after heroin abuse]
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