The use of neuroimaging techniques for clinical detection of neurotoxicity: A review

Although toxins exert their impact on a molecular level, they may yield mol ar effects by affecting areas large enough to be visualized by neuroimaging techniques. Therefore, neuroimaging of the brain may be used to render the macroscopic sequelae of neurotoxins visible. Toxic agents may induce brain edema or atrophy, demyelination, infarctions, calcifications, hemorrhages, or changes of perfusion, metabolism or receptor density. Although they do not readily disclose their nature, clues as to the offending agent may in s ome instances De gleaned from the pattern, distribution, and appearance of the cerebral changes. Intoxication, however, has always to be proved or sub stantiated independently by appropriate means. This paper deals with the ex tent and certainty to which conclusions as to some of the most common offen ding substances may be drawn from pictures of the brain. (C) 2000 Inter Pre ss, Inc.