New findings and symptomatic treatment for neurolathyrism, a motor neuron disease occurring in north west Bangladesh

Paraplegia. 1994 Mar;32(3):193-5. doi: 10.1038/sc.1994.35.

Abstract

Neurolathyrism is a form of spastic paraparesis caused by the neuroexcitatory amino acid 3-N-oxalyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (beta-ODAP) present in the seeds and foliage of Lathyrus sativus. The disease is irreversible and usually nonprogressive. Tolperisone HCl, a centrally acting muscle relaxant, has been shown to reduce significantly the spasticity in neurolathyrism patients. Sporadic occurrence of HTLV-1 infection (0.9%) and of osteolathyrism was found among the neurolathyrism patients. Osteolathyrism is linked to the consumption of the green shoots of Lathyrus sativus.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bangladesh
  • Bone Diseases / complications
  • HTLV-I Antibodies / blood
  • HTLV-I Antibodies / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Humans
  • Lathyrism / complications
  • Lathyrism / drug therapy*
  • Lathyrism / physiopathology
  • Motor Neuron Disease / drug therapy*
  • Motor Neuron Disease / physiopathology
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / drug therapy*
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / immunology
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / physiopathology
  • Tolperisone / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • HTLV-I Antibodies
  • Tolperisone