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8414933 
Book/Book Chapter 
Neuropathy: Chemically-Induced 
Jokanovic, M 
2009 
Elsevier Ltd 
Encyclopedia of Neuroscience 
759-765 
English 
In the nervous system there are four targets for the action of chemicals: the neuron, the axon, the myelinating cell, and the neurotransmission system. As a result, it is possible to identify neurotoxic chemicals which cause neuronopathies, axonopathies, myelinopathies, and neurotransmission-associated toxicity. In this article the clinical, histopathological, and toxicological features and mechanisms involved are discussed for several chemicals causing neurotoxic effects. When possible, a correlation is made between the exposure to selected chemicals and the neurotoxic effects observed. Neuronopathies are discussed using typical examples of neurotoxic effects of methylmercury and methanol. Axonopathies result from a chemical transection of the axon. The number of neurotoxic chemicals acting on the axon is large, but here the characteristic cases of organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy and n-hexane, carbon disulfide, and acrylamide toxicity are discussed. Myelinopathy is discussed based on the effects of lead and hexachlorophene. Finally, the neurotoxic effects of nicotine are shown as an example of a chemical interacting with neurotransmission. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved. 
Ataxia; Axonal degeneration; Axonopathy; Myelinopathy; Neuronopathy; Neuropathy; Neurotoxic substances; Neurotoxicology; Toxicity