Brain dysfunction in multiple chemical sensitivity

[Guest guest]

J Neurol Sci. 2009 Oct 2. [Epub ahead of print]

 

Brain dysfunction in multiple chemical sensitivity

_http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19801154?itool=EntrezSystem2_

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19801154?itool=EntrezSystem2)

 

Orriols R, Costa R, Cuberas G, Jacas C, Castell J, Sunyer J.

Servei de Pneumologia, Hospital Universitari Vall d' Hebron, Barcelona,

Catalonia, Spain; CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Spain.

 

 

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic acquired disorder of

unknown pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether MCS

patients present brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and

psychometric scale changes after a chemical challenge. This procedure was

performed with chemical products at non-toxic concentrations in 8 patients

diagnosed with MCS and in their healthy controls. In comparison to controls,

cases presented basal brain SPECT hypoperfusion in small cortical areas of

the right parietal and both temporal and fronto-orbital lobes. After chemical

challenge, cases showed hypoperfusion in the olfactory, right and left

hippocampus, right parahippocampus, right amygdala, right thalamus, right and

left Rolandic and right temporal cortex regions(p</=0.01). By contrast,

controls showed hyperperfusion in the cingulus, right parahippocampus, left

thalamus and some cortex regions (p</=0.01). The clustered deactivation

pattern in cases was stronger than in controls (p=0.012) and the clustered

activation pattern in controls was higher than in cases (p=0.012). In comparison

to controls, cases presented poorer quality of life and neurocognitive

function at baseline, and neurocognitive worsening after chemical exposure.

Chemical exposure caused neurocognitive impairment, and SPECT brain

dysfunction particularly in odor-processing areas, thereby suggesting a

neurogenic

origin of MCS.

 

 

PMID: 19801154 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]