Biomaterial Database

"Giant axonal neuropathy" caused by industrial chemicals: neurofilamentous axonal masses in man. 1976

J G Davenport, and D F Farrell, and M Sumi

Symmetrical polyneuropathy developed in two patients after they had been in contact with acrylamide and methyl n-butyl ketone, respectively. In sural nerve biopsy material from both patients, electron microscopy showed frequent focal axonal swellings containing masses of neurofilaments. Some axons undergoing axonal degeneration also were seen. These morphologic features are identical to those produced in experimental animals after exposure to these chemicals and are similar to those found in n-hexane neuropathy and in the three reported cases of giant axonal neuropathy. Sural nerve biopsy is an important diagnostic test in identifying cases of peripheral neuropathy caused by these chemicals.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007659	Ketones	Organic compounds containing a carbonyl group	Ketone
D008297	Male		Males
D009186	Myelin Sheath	The lipid-rich sheath surrounding AXONS in both the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEMS and PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. The myelin sheath is an electrical insulator and allows faster and more energetically efficient conduction of impulses. The sheath is formed by the cell membranes of glial cells (SCHWANN CELLS in the peripheral and OLIGODENDROGLIA in the central nervous system). Deterioration of the sheath in DEMYELINATING DISEASES is a serious clinical problem.	Myelin,Myelin Sheaths,Sheath, Myelin,Sheaths, Myelin
D009784	Occupational Diseases	Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment.	Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D010523	Peripheral Nervous System Diseases	Diseases of the peripheral nerves external to the brain and spinal cord, which includes diseases of the nerve roots, ganglia, plexi, autonomic nerves, sensory nerves, and motor nerves.	Peripheral Nerve Diseases,Peripheral Neuropathies,PNS (Peripheral Nervous System) Diseases,PNS Diseases,Peripheral Nervous System Disease,Peripheral Nervous System Disorders,Nerve Disease, Peripheral,Nerve Diseases, Peripheral,Neuropathy, Peripheral,PNS Disease,Peripheral Nerve Disease,Peripheral Neuropathy
D002617	Chemical Industry	The aggregate enterprise of manufacturing and technically producing chemicals. (From Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)	Industry, Chemical,Chemical Industries,Industries, Chemical
D004781	Environmental Exposure	The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents in the environment or to environmental factors that may include ionizing radiation, pathogenic organisms, or toxic chemicals.	Exposure, Environmental,Environmental Exposures,Exposures, Environmental
D006588	Hexanones	6-carbon straight-chain or branched ketones.	Butyl Methyl Ketones,Ethyl Propyl Ketones,Ketones, Butyl Methyl,Ketones, Ethyl Propyl,Methyl Ketones, Butyl,Propyl Ketones, Ethyl
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000178	Acrylamides	Colorless, odorless crystals that are used extensively in research laboratories for the preparation of polyacrylamide gels for electrophoresis and in organic synthesis, and polymerization. Some of its polymers are used in sewage and wastewater treatment, permanent press fabrics, and as soil conditioning agents.