Psychomotor dysfunction

FAS is normally characterized by growth retardation, anomalies of the head and face, and psychomotor dysfunctions. Excessive consumption of ethyl alcohol may lead to malformations of the heart, extremities, and kidneys. Since consumption of ethyl alcohol is socially acceptable and prevalent even in pregnant women, the risks associated with the use of ethyl alcohol are remarkable. However, it should be kept in mind that there are several chemical compounds in tlie occupational environment that may also cause malformations even at low doses. The oc-cupationally-important known human teratogens include methyl mercury, ethyl alcohol, PCB compounds, tobacco smoke, lead, TCDD, 2,4,5- F, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, gasoline, and fluoride. 

Psychomotor dysfunction Stereotypy, or stereotypical physical behaviours bizarre repetitive... 

Striatum t Dopamine release kcortico-striatal innervation Psychosis, psychomotor dysfunction... 

The use of antihistamines can be traced back to the beginning of 1940s. The applications of the first-generation antihistamines were limited since they cause significant adverse effects such as sedation, memory impairment and psychomotor dysfunction. The second-generation antihistamines have significantly fewer central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects because they penetrate the blood-brain barrier much less extensively. 

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of mental and physical defects that develops in some offspring when exposed to alcohol in utero. The first trimester is the most susceptible period. Some babies with alcohol-related birth defects, such as lower birth weight and body size and neurological impairments, do not have all of the classic FAS symptoms. These outcomes are often referred to as fetal alcohol effects (FAE). Currently there is not total agreement among medical scientists concerning the precise differences between FAE and FAS. In addition to growth retardation, the most common outcomes of fetal alcohol syndrome include psychomotor dysfunction and craniofacial anomalies. 

PCBs Memory and learning impairments Psychomotor dysfunction... 

In summary, the above studies show that neurobehavioral evaluation of pesticide workers reveal increased prevalence of neurologic symptoms and changes in neurobehavioral performance indicative of mild cognitive and psychomotor dysfunction. These effects appear to be more prevalent during the period of exposure, but also persist beyond the period of exposure. Total cumulative exposure seems to be a greater risk factor for poor performance than any other covariant. Deficits in visuomotor speed as indexed by the digit symbol substimtion test and the trailmaking tests have been shown to be consistently effected as well as tests of selective attention and memory... 

Psychomotor dysfunction This includes cognitive impairment, decreased psychomotor skills, and unwanted daytime sedation. These adverse effects are more common with benzodiazepines that have active metabolites with long half-lives (eg, diazepam, flurazepam). The dosage of a sedative-hypnotic should be reduced in elderly patients to avoid excessive... 

Ariyama J, Hayashida M, Shibata K, Sugimoto Y, Imanishi H, O-oi Y, Kitamura A. Risk factors for the development of reversible psychomotor dysfunction following prolonged isoflurane inhalation in the general intensive care unit. J Clin Anesth 2009 21 567-73. 

Intrauterine seizures may occur. The electroencephalogram often displays a hypsarrhythmia or a burst-suppression pattern. Patients display myoclonic jerks, hiccuping and a profound hypotonia. The few patients who survive past the first week usually sustain profound mental retardation and neurological disability. Brain imaging shows atrophy and a loss of myelin. Rarely, patients present later in life with psychomotor retardation and growth failure. Others have had initial normal development followed by a progressive loss of developmental milestones. Some patients have manifested spinocerebellar degeneration and other symptoms of motor dysfunction [27],... 

Cognitive-related dysfunction (eg, confusion psychomotor slowing difficulty with concentration/attention difficulty with memory speech or language problems, particularly word-finding difficulties). 

The therapeutic indications for the psychomotor stimulants are quite limited. They are beneficial in the treatment of the hyperkinetic syndrome (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder with minimal brain dysfunction). This is generally a childhood disease characterized by hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, and impulsive behavior. Amphetamines and the more extensively used methylphenidate paradoxically are quite effective in calming a large proportion of children with this disorder. Pemoline Cylert) is also used in the treatment of attention deficit disorder with hyperkinetic behavior. The mechanism by which these compounds are effective in this disorder is not known. 

Sedation is uncommon and instead many patients will find that these drugs may impair sleep, which is why the dose is best taken in the morning. There is also little effect on psychomotor function. Occasional patients have a small reduction in heart rate but otherwise effects on the cardiovascular system are rare. Epileptic convulsions can occur but are rare and much less common than with tricyclic antidepressants. There is some evidence for potentiation of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-induced seizures. Sexual dysfunction is reported, principally delayed ejaculation and anorgasmia. 

Curran, H.V., Schifano, F., and Lader, M., Models of memory dysfunction A comparison of the effects of scopolamine and lorazepam on memory, psychomotor performance and mood, Psychopharmacology, 103, 83, 1991. 

Dysrhythmias seem to be the most likely cause of sudden death from cocaine, but cardiac conduction disorders are more common in patients with acute cocaine toxicity. Severe cocaine toxicity also causes acidemia and cardiac dysfunction (96). Four patients developed seizures, psychomotor agitation, and cardiopulmonary arrest two of these are briefly summarized here. 

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