Health risks to the population associated with poisoning by neurotropic toxicants (Analytical review)

Introduction. Issues related to the epidemiologic aspects and clinical manifestations of poisoning by neurotoxicants, whose effects cause serious harm to the health of victims, are highly relevant. Acute and chronic poisoning can be manifested through diverse patterns; however, regardless of the type of neurotoxicant, all victims experience asthenovegetative and psychoorganic syndromes. These syndromes can develop during both toxicogenic and somatogenic phases of poisoning, manifesting in the period of its long-term consequences.

Objective. Scientific substantiation of the risks of poisoning by neurotoxicants, which pose a serious threat to public health due to their systemic toxic effects and the development of multiorgan pathology, including at the stage of long-term consequences of poisoning.

Discussion. In Russia, among various types of acute poisoning, intoxications by substances causing primary damage to the central nervous system rank first. The routes of entry of neurotoxicants into the body are indicated, and the forms of manifestation of neurotoxic processes are described. The pathogenesis of the toxic action of organic solvents, heavy metal salts, barbiturates, and carbamates is analyzed. Toxic neurotropic substances can adversely affect the nervous system both directly and indirectly, through damage to other organs and systems. Clinical cases of acute poisoning by neurotoxicants are described. After poisoning by representatives of the group of neurotropic toxicants, after a certain period of time, the victim develops long-term consequences with a highly varying clinical picture.

Conclusions. The presented data on poisoning exposures to neurotoxicants demonstrate the clinical and pathogenetic significance of their effects not only on the central nervous system but also on other organs and tissues, the development of systemic pathological processes and multiorgan pathologies. The identified features of the toxic action must be taken into account when analyzing the health risks to victims of poisoning with neurotropic toxicants. The most significant manifestations of the effects on other organs/tissues should be reflected in the protocols for diagnosing the severity of such poisoning accidents and their long-term consequences, as well as in the use of metabolic and cytoprotective agents for their treatment. 

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