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Mechanisms and Models of Neurotoxicity of n-Hexane and Related Solvents

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Applied Toxicology: Approaches Through Basic Science

Part of the book series: Archives of Toxicology ((TOXICOLOGY,volume 19))

Abstract

Organic solvents are widely used both in industry and in households. Misuse of organic solvents is common, and intoxications and sniffing episodes are not rare (Ikeda, 1992). Solvents belong to various chemical categories, including aliphatic, halogenated aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, ketones and other minor chemical groups. Adverse effects may be found at various sites in the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Prolonged exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons can cause permanent damage to the CNS (Hein et al., 1990), while long-term exposure to n-hexane is associated with development of peripheral neuropathy (Bachmann et al., 1993). It has been proposed that repeated acute exposures to low levels of organic solvents can cause permanent damage in the CNS. It is therefore important to clarify the mechanisms of solvent neurotoxicities, and to find appropriate sensitive methods for detecting even subtle signs of deleterious effects.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical School, University of Tampere, P.O. Box 607, SF-33101, Tampere, Finland

    Hanna Tähti & Leila Vaalavirta

  2. Department of Biophysics, University of Bremen, P.O. Box 330440, D-28334, Bremen, Germany

    Maria Engelke

Authors
  1. Hanna Tähti
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  2. Maria Engelke
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  3. Leila Vaalavirta
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Interkantonale Kontrollstelle für Heilmittel, Erlachstrasse 8, CH-3000 Bern 9, Switzerland

    Jürg P. Seiler

  2. Dept. of Neurochemistry Campus San Juan, University of Alicante, Aptdo. 374, E-03080, Alicante, Spain

    Eugenio Vilanova

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© 1997 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Tähti, H., Engelke, M., Vaalavirta, L. (1997). Mechanisms and Models of Neurotoxicity of n-Hexane and Related Solvents. In: Seiler, J.P., Vilanova, E. (eds) Applied Toxicology: Approaches Through Basic Science. Archives of Toxicology, vol 19. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-60682-3_32

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-60682-3_32

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-64505-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-60682-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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