PARKINSONISM AFTER CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO THE FUNGICIDE MANEB (MANGANESEETHYLENE-BIS-DITHIOCARBAMATE)

Permanent parkinsonism was observed in a man with chronic exposure to the fungicide maneb (manganese ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate). Symptoms developed at 37 years of age, two years after exposure had ceased. To our knowledge, this is the second report on parkinsonism associated w ith exposure to maneb. Manganese is a well-known parkinsonigen toxin i n humans. More recently, it has been shown that dithiocarbamates can a lso induce extrapyramidal syndromes. The biochemical effects of mangan ese and dithiocarbamates are reviewed and their possible neurotoxic me chanisms are discussed. Both of these components may have played a rol e in this case.