A Review for the Effects of Chronic Manganese Exposure: Clinical, Biochemical, Radiological aspects.
- Author:
Wook LEE
1
;
Si Ryung HAN
;
Sung Woo CHUNG
;
Ji Hong KIM
;
Hyeon Woo YIM
;
Beum Saeng KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Manganese;
chronic manganese exposure;
ADA;
MRI
- MeSH:
Adenosine;
Brain;
Fingers;
Foot;
Gait;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Male;
Manganese*;
Nervous System;
Neurologic Manifestations;
Posture;
Walking;
Writing
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
1998;16(3):331-335
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Manganese could be toxic to the human nervous system. Therefore, it is important to detect the over-exposed patients in their early course of intoxication. The aim of this study is to find a valuable methods of clinical examination and applicable parameters for early detection of manganese intoxication. METHODS: we investigated the 35 men who had been exposed to manganese over 5 years. All the subjects were examined and video monitored by three physicians. We separated them into the two groups(Group A: clinically suspicious, Group B: clinically normal) in terms of their motor functions, gait, posture, expression. Motor functions(finger and foot tapping, rapid alternating movement, pegboard exam, writing and walking velocity etc.), MRIs, and biochemical data were measured and compared. RESULTS: No one showed significant effects of manganese intoxication . Also there were no significant differences between the two groups for their biochemical data except for elevated serum Adenosine deaminase(ADA) in clinically suspicious group. But there was a trend that motor functions were decreased especially for the finger and foot tapping, walking velocity and stride, writing velocity. A large number of subjects showed MRI changes in both groups. So MRI is not necessarily correlated with clinical findings and not a specific diagnostic tool for manganese intoxication but a sensitive one for the exposed subjects to manganese. CONCLUSION: From this study, the decreased motor functions were the only clinically significant neurologic manifestation in those who over-exposed subjects to manganese. The level of serum ADA and brain MRI could be a helpful supportive diagnostic tools for the over-exposure. Even if the subjects with these positive results do not show any significant sign of intoxication , we ought to modify their working environment to reduce further exposure.
