EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD-EXPOSURE ON MOTOR AND SOMATOSENSORY-EVOKED POTENTIALS

In order to objectivate the effects of inorganic lead compounds on the nervous system, 17 men occupationally exposed have been recorded for Motor Electric Potentials (MEPs) of the abductor policis brevis muscle s with transcranial, cervical root and peripheral electrical stimulati ons, for Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SEPs) of median and tibial p osterior nerves, and for Electromyography (EMG). Considering each subj ect, 16 out of the 17 lead exposed ones exhibited electrophysiological abnormalities, occuring at both peripheral and central levels for the somatosensory as well as for the motor systems. As compared to a norm al control group, the lead exposed one showed decreased sensory and mo tor peripheral conduction velocities, increased motor cen tra I conduc tion time, and delayed cortical P22 SEPs componenthat could be interpr eted as a sensory-motor cortical dysfunction. The respective contribut ions ofMEPs and SEPs are compared to clinical, biological and EMG exam inations in the evaluation ofthe neurotoxic effects of inorganic lead compounds, o 1994 Inter Press, Inc.