Some Aspects of the Mechanisms by Which Industrial Solvents Produce Neurotoxic Effects

A Short Review is given of the biochemical neurotoxic mechanisms of common industrial solvents of various structures. The acute effects of organic solvents may be caused by their direct action on the nerve cell membrane and energy metabolism, whereas chronic neurotoxic effects may be explained by the formation of chemically and biologically reactive intermediates. The stability of the toxic metabolites appears to correlate with the development of neuropathy although this is structuredependent. The role of reactive intermediates is also emphasized by the potentiating effect of the induction of the cytochrome P-450 complex.