MYELONEUROPATHY AMONG NOIR-MARRON INDIVID UALS OF SAINT-LAURENT-DU-MARONI IN FRENCH-GUYANA

The neurological observations have been reported at Andre Bouron Hospi tal of Saint-Laurent du Maroni and al General Hospital of Cayenne duri ng a period of 5 years. All patients belonged to the ''Noir Marron'' e thnic group and lived in the area of Saint-Laurent. There were six wom en and four men, aged 15-35 years. Neurological symptoms were isolated or associated to other organ failure. Neurological manifestations inc luded retrobulbar optic neuropathy, spastic paraparesis, sensitive ata xia and cerebellar ataxia, psychiatric symptoms were observed. Other o rgans affected were cardiovascular; digestive, cutaneous or endocrinol ogic (thyroid). Diet consist mainly in cassava. Thiamin deficiency has been observed several limes. Improvement of neurological deficits fol lowing thiamin administration points towards Thiamin as an etiological factor Ethnological specificity of Saint-Laurent area may explain tha t such neurological manifestation have not been observed in the rest o f the department.