Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seizures Attributable to Environmental Toxins

  • Chapter
Seizures

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Neurology ((CCP))

Abstract

Seizures induced by toxins most often present as generalized tonic-clonic convulsions of acute onset, either recurrent frequent seizures or consisting of status epilepticus. However, in some circumstances, poisons and toxins can induce partial seizures of different types, including complex partial status, which may be difficult to identify promptly (1–4).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Cendes F, Andermann F, Carpenter S, Zatorre RJ, Cashman NR. Temporal lobe epilepsy caused by domoic acid intoxication: evidence for glutamate receptor-mediated excitotoxicity in humans. Ann Neurol 1995; 37: 123–126.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Teitelbaum JS, Zatorre RJ, Carpenter S, et al. Neurologic sequelae of domoic acid intoxication due to the ingestion of contaminated mussels. N Engl J Med 1990; 322: 1781–1787.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Kunisaki TA, Augenstein WL. Drug-and toxin-induced seizures. Emerg Med Clin North Am 1994; 12: 1027–1056.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Delanty N, Vaughan CJ, French JA. Medical causes of seizures. Lancet 1998; 352: 383–390.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ritchie JM. Tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin and the sodium channels of excitable tissues. Trends Pharmacol Sci 1980; 1: 275–279.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Catterall W, Mackie K. Local anesthetics: Tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin. In: Hardman JG, Limbrird LE, Molinoff PB, Ruddon RW, Gilman AG (eds.), Goodman & Gilman’s the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996, CD-Rom.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Novelli A, Kispert J, Fernandez-Sanchez MT, Torreblanca A, Zitko V. Domoic acid-containing toxic mussels produce neurotoxicity in neuronal cultures through a synergism between excitatory amino acids. Brain Res 1992; 577: 41–48.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Wright JL, Bird CJ, de Freitas AS, Hampson D, McDonald J, Quilliam MA. Chemistry, biology, and toxicology of domoic acid and its isomers. Can Dis Wkly Rep 1990; 16 (Suppl 1E): 21–26.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Shinozaki H. Discovery of novel actions of kainic acid and related compounds. In: McGeer EG, Olney JW, McGeer PL (eds.), Kainic Acid as a Tool in Neurobiology. New York: Raven, 1978, pp 17–35.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Debonnel G, Weiss M, de Montigny C. Neurotoxic effect of domoic acid: mediation by kainate receptor electrophysiological studies in the rat. Can Dis Wkly Rep 1990; 16 (Suppl 1E): 59–68.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Tryphonas L, Iverson F. Neuropathology of excitatory neurotoxins: the domoic acid model. Toxicol Pathol 1990; 18: 165–169.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Takeuchi H, Watanabe K, Nomoto K, Ohfune Y, Takemoto T. Effects of alpha-kainic acid, domoic acid and their derivatives on a molluscan giant neuron sensitive to betahydroxy-L-glutamic acid. Eur J Pharmacol 1984; 102: 325–332.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Debonnel G, Weiss M, de Montigny C. Reduced neuroexcitatory effect of domoic acid following mossy fiber denervation of the rat dorsal hippocampus: further evidence that toxicity of domoic acid involves kainate receptor activation. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1989; 67: 904–908.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Strain SM, Tasker RA. Hippocampal damage produced by systemic injections of domoic acid in mice. Neuroscience 1991; 44: 343–352.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Takemoto T. Kainic Acid as a Tool in Neurobiology. New York: Raven, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Perl TM, Bedard L, Kosatsky T, Hockin JC, Todd EC, Remis RS. An outbreak of toxic encephalopathy caused by eating mussels contaminated with domoic acid. N Engl J Med 1990; 322: 1775–1780.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Wright JL, Boyd RK, de Freitas AS, et al. Identification of domoic acid, a neuroexcitatory amino acid, in toxic mussels from eastern Prince Edward Island. Can J Chem 1989; 481–490.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Bayne BL, Widdows J, Thompson RJ. Physiology of marine mussels. In: Bayne BL (ed.), Marine Mussels: Their Ecology and Physiology. London: Cambridge University Press, 1976, pp 207–260.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Bates SS, Bird CJ, de Freitas ASW, et al. Pennate diaton Nitzschia pungens as the primary source of domoic acid, a toxin in shellfish from eastern Prince Edward Island, Canada. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 1989; 46: 1203–1215.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Debonnel G, Beauchesne L, de Montigny C. Domoic acid, the alleged “mussel toxin,” might produce its neurotoxic effect through kainate receptor activation: an electrophysiological study in the dorsal hippocampus. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1989; 67: 29–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Glavin GB, Pinsky C, Bose R. Domoic acid-induced neurovisceral toxic syndrome: characterization of an animal model and putative antidotes. Brain Res Bull 1990; 24: 701–703.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Iverson F, Truelove J, Tryphonas L, Nera EA. The toxicology of domoic acid administered systemically to rodents and primates. Can Dis Wkly Rep 1990; 16 (Suppl IE): 15–18.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Cavazos JE, Golarai G, Sutula TP. Mossy fiber reorganization induced by kindling• time course of development, progression and permanence. J Neurosci 1991; 11: 2795–2803.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Sutula TP. Experimental models of temporal lobe epilepsy: new insights from the study of kindling and synaptic reorganization. Epilepsia 1990; 31: S45 - S54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Maeda M, Kodama T, Tanaka T, et al. Insecticidal and neuromuscular activities of domoic acid and its related compounds. J Pesticide Sci 1984; 9: 27–32.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Daigo K. Studies on the constituents of chondria armata. II, Isolation of an antihelmintical constituent. J Jpn Pharmacol Assoc 1959; 79: 353.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Tryphonas L, Truelove J, Todd E, Nera E, Iverson E Experimental oral toxicity of domoic acid in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and rats. Preliminary investigations. Food Chem Toxicol 1990; 28: 707–715.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Centers for Disease Control. Fish Borne Disease Outbreaks: Annual Summary 1982, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Lange WR. Ciguatera fish poisoning. Am Fam Physician 1994; 50: 579–584.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Payne CA, Payne SN. Ciguatera in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. N Engl J Med 1977; 296: 949–950.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Yasumoto T, Satake M. Chemistry, etiology and determination methods of ciguatera toxins. J Toxicol Toxin Rev 1996; 15: 91–107.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Bagnis R, Kiberski T, Lauguer S. Clinical observation on 3009 cases of ciguatera (fish poisoning) in the South Pacific. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1979; 28: 1067–1073.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Goldfrank LR. Mushrooms: toxic and hallucinogenic. In: Goldfrank LR, Flomen-baum NE, Lewin NA, Weisman RS, Howland MA, Hoffman RS (eds.), Toxicologic emergencies. Norwalk, CT: Appleton and Lange, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Brown JH, Taylor P. Muscarinic receptor agonists and antagonists. In: Hardman JG, Limbrird LE, Molinoff PB, Ruddon RW, Gilman AG (eds.), Goodman & Gilman’s the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed. New York: MGraw-Hill, 1996, CD-Rom.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Benjamin DR. Mushroom poisoning in infants and children: the Amanita pantherina/muscaria group. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1992; 30: 13–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Buck RW. Mycetism. N Engl J Med 1969; 280: 1363.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Hanrahan JP, Gordon MA. Mushroom poisoning. Case reports and a review of therapy. JAMA 1984; 251: 1057–1061.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Dewitt MS, Swain R, Gibson LB Jr. The dangers of jimson weed and its abuse by teenagers in the Kanawha Valley of West Virginia. W V Med J 1997; 93: 182–185.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Spiller HA, Willias DB, Gorman SE, Sanftleban J. Retrospective study of mistletoe ingestion. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1996; 34: 405–408.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Tuncok Y, Kozan O, Cavdar C, Guven H, Fowler J. Urginea maritima (squill) toxicity. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1995; 33: 83–86.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Fitzgerald P, Moss N, O’Mahony S, Whelton MJ. Accidental hemlock poisoning. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1987; 295: 1657.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Landers D, Seppi K, Blauer W. Seizures and death on a white river float trip. Report of water hemlock poisoning. West J Med 1985; 142: 637–640.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Trabattoni G, Visintini D, Terzano GM, Lechi A. Accidental poisoning with deadly nightshade berries: a case report. Hum Toxicol 1984; 3: 513–516.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Knutsen OH, Paszkowski P. New aspects in the treatment of water hemlock poisoning. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1984; 22: 157–166.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Starreveld E, Hope E. Cicutoxin poisoning (water hemlock). Neurology 1975; 25: 730–734.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Withers LM, Cole FR, Nelson RB. Water-hemlock poisoning. N Engl J Med 1969; 281: 566–567.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Water hemlock poisoning-Maine, 1992. JAMA 1994; 271: 1475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Theuma A, Vassallo MT. Occult CO poisoning presenting as an epileptic fit. Postgrad Med J 1997; 73: 448.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Jain KK. Neurologic aspects of carbon monoxide poisoning. In• Gilman S, Goldstein GW, Waxman SG (eds), Neurobase, 2nd ed. San Diego, CA: Arbor Publishing, 1999, CD-Rom.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Durnin C. Carbon monoxide poisoning presenting with focal epileptiform seizures. Lancet 1987; 1: 1319.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Mathieu D, Nolf M, Durocher A, et al. Acute carbon monoxide poisoning risk of late sequelae and treatment by hyperbaric oxygen. Clin Toxicol 1985; 23: 315–324.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Kumar A, Dey PK, Singla PN, Ambasht RS, Upadhyay SK. Blood lead levels in children with neurological disorders. J Trop Pediatr 1998; 44: 320–322.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Yu EC, Yeung CY. Lead encephalopathy due to herbal medicine. Chin Med J (English) 1987; 100: 915–917.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Selbst SM, Henretig FM, Pearce J. Lead encephalopathy. A case report and review of management. Clin Pediatr 1985; 24: 280–282, 285.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Whitfield CL, Ch’ien LT, Whitehead JD. Lead encephalopathy in adults. Am J Med 1972; 52: 289–298.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Feldman RG. Urban lead mining-lead intoxication among de-leaders. N Engl J Med 1978; 298: 1143–1145.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Feldman RG. Effects of toxins and physical agents on the nervous system. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Marsden CD (eds.), Neurology in Clinical Practice. Boston, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann, 1991, pp 1185–1209.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Mirando EH, Ranasinghe L. Lead encephalopathy in children. Uncommon clinical aspects. Med JAust 1970; 2: 966–968.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Brown AW, Aldridge WN, Street BW, Verschoyle RD. The behavioral and neuropathologic sequelae of intoxication by trimethyltin compounds in the rat. Am J Pathol 1979; 97: 59–82.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Besser R, Kramer G, Thumler R, Bohl J, Gutmann L, Hopf HC. Acute trimethyltin limbic-cerebellar syndrome. Neurology 1987; 37: 945–950.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Ortel TL, Bedrosian CL, Simel DL. Arsenic poisoning and seizures. N C Med J 1987; 48: 627–630.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Komaki H, Maisawa S, Sugai K, Kobayashi Y, Hashimoto T. Tremor and seizures associated with chronic manganese intoxication. Brain Dev 1999; 21: 122–124.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Marquet P, Francois B, Vignon P, Lachatre G. A soldier who had seizures after drinking quarter of a litre of wine. Lancet 1996; 348: 1070.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Marquet P, Francois B, Lotfi H, et al. Tungsten determination in biological fluids, hair and nails by plasma emission spectrometry in a case of severe acute intoxication in man J Forens Sci 1997; 42: 527–530.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Friberg L, Piscator M, Nordberg GF, Kjellstrom T. Cadmium in the Environment, 2nd ed. Cleveland, OH: CRC Press, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Littorin ME, Fehling C, Attewell RG, Skerfving S. Focal epilepsy and exposure to organic solvents: a case-referent study. J Occup Med 1988; 30: 805–808.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Jacobsen M, Baelum J, Bonde JP. Temporal epileptic seizures and occupational exposure to solvents. Occup Environ Med 1994; 51: 429–430.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Silva-Filho AR, Pires ML, Shiotsuki N. Anticonvulsant and convulsant effects of organic solvents. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1992; 41: 79–82.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Allister C, Lush M, Oliver JS, Watson JM. Status epilepticus caused by solvent abuse. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1981; 283: 1156.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Fernando Cendes MD,PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

    Norman Delanty MB, FRCPI (Consultant Neurologist) (Consultant Neurologist)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2002 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Cendes, F. (2002). Seizures Attributable to Environmental Toxins. In: Delanty, N. (eds) Seizures. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-094-0_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-094-0_12

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61737-207-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-094-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation