Human body central nervous system

Alkyl mercury compounds in the blood stream are found mainly in the blood cehs, and only to a smah extent in the plasma. This is probably the result of the greater stabhity of the alkyl mercuric compounds, as well as their pecuflar solubiUty characteristics. Alkyl mercury compounds affect the central nervous system and accumulate in the brain (17,18). Elimination of alkyl mercury compounds from the body is somewhat slower than that of inorganic mercury compounds and the aryl and alkoxy mercurials. Methylmercury is eliminated from humans at a rate indicating a half-life of 50—60 d (19) inorganic mercurials leave the body according to a half-life pattern of 30—60 d (20). Elimination rates are dependent not only on the nature of the compound but also on the dosage, method of intake, and the rate of intake (21,22). 

Air-poUutant effects on neural and sensory functions in humans vary widely. Odorous pollutants cause only minor annoyance yet, if persistent, they can lead to irritation, emotional upset, anorexia, and mental depression. Carbon monoxide can cause death secondary to the depression of the respiratory centers of the central nervous system. Short of death, repeated and prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can alter sensory protection, temporal perception, and higher mental functions. Lipid-soluble aerosols can enter the body and be absorbed in the lipids of the central nervous system. Once there, their effects may persist long after the initial contact has been removed. Examples of agents of long-term chronic effects are organic phosphate pesticides and aerosols carrying the metals lead, mercury, and cadmium. 

The nervous system is a complex part of the human body concerned with die regulation and coordination of body activities such as movement, digestion of food, sleep, and elimination of waste products. The nervous system has two main divisions the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Figure 22-1 illustrates the divisions of die nervous system. 

It is clear that both the form of molybdenum administered and the route of exposure affect molybdenum metabolism and survival (Table 30.4). By comparison, adverse effects (some deaths) were noted at 250 mg Mo/kg body weight (BW) (in guinea pigs), at 50 mg/kg BW in domestic cats (central nervous system impairment), at 10 mg/L drinking water in mice (survival), at 10 to 15 mg total daily intake in humans (high incidence of gout-like disease), and at to 3 mg/m3 air in humans for 5 years (respiratory difficulties), or 6 to 19 mg/m3 in humans for 4 years (Table 30.4). 

Death. Clinical reports in humans and studies in animals demonstrate that death due to central nervous system toxicity is the primary acute lethal effect associated with endrin exposure. A lethal dose of endrin in humans has not been identified, but 0.2-0.25 mg endrin/kg body weight is sufficient to cause convulsions (Davies and Lewis 1956). Liver, kidney, heart, and brain damage were reported following oral and inhalation exposures. Since endrin is no longer used commercially, the general public is not... 

It may come as a surprise that CO is synthesized by the human body and has roles in human metabolism. Specifically, an enzyme that degrades heme, a constituent of hemoglobin, our oxygen-transporting protein, makes CO, which is a neurotransmitter. Much more about neurotransmitters follows in chapter 21 when we talk about the central nervous system. For the present, just understand that specialized cells known as neurons are the conduits for communication in the nervous system. Neurotransmitters are small molecules that relay information from one neuron to another. Neurotransmitter CO is made, functions, and is quickly destroyed. Personally, I find it surprising that CO has such a critical role in the nervous system. Surprised or not, there it is and there is no doubt about it. 

Central Nervous System (CNS). The human nervous system is an integrated communication network that sends and receives information throughout the body. This network is divided into two main divisions central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS is the command center of this network and is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The PNS is the interface of the nervous system with the rest of the body and the external environment. It is comprised of nerve fibers and small clusters of nerve cells known as ganglia. 

As shown in Figure 2-4, there is a considerable body of data on the health effects of carbon tetrachloride in humans, especially following acute oral or inhalation exposures. Although many of the available reports lack quantitative information on exposure levels, the data are sufficient to derive approximate values for safe exposure levels. There is limited information on the effects of intermediate or chronic inhalation exposure in the workplace, but there are essentially no data on longer-term oral exposure of humans to carbon tetrachloride, most toxicity studies have focuses on the main systemic effects of obvious clinical significance (hepatotoxicity, renal toxicity, central nervous system depression). There are data on the effects of carbon tetrachloride on the immune system, but there are no reports that establish whether or not developmental, reproductive, genotoxic, or carcinogenic effects occur in humans exposed to carbon tetrachloride. 

Nitrophenols Synthetic organic pesticides containing carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen used as wood preservatives, fungicides, or disinfectants affect liver and central nervous system in the human body. 

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