Sensorimotor impairment

The exact nature of the deficit produced by NMDA antagonists and the interpretation of results has been questioned. It is difficult to ignore the possibility that sensorimotor impairment, however subtle, may mediate the apparent spatial learning deficit in rats (Keith and Rudy, 1990). The fact that animals exhibiting minimal LTP still demonstrate significant learning is also challenging (Bannerman et al., 1995). 

Dunnett SB, Iversen SD (1982) Sensorimotor impairments following localized kainic acid and 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the neostriatum. Brain Res 248 121-127. 

In a case report, a mother who applied DEET daily during her entire pregnancy gave birth to a child with craniofacial dysmorphology, mental retardation, and sensorimotor impairment. I20... 

Pedraza MA, Anzinger F Lead encephalopathy report of a case associated with industrial exposure. Ohio State Medical Journal 70 319-321, 1974 Perino J, Ernhart CB The relation of subclinical lead level to cognitive and sensorimotor impairment in black preschoolers. J Learn Disabil 7 616-620,1974 Perlstein MA, Attala R Neurologic sequelae of plumbism in children. Clin Pediatr 5 292-298, 1966... 

Perino, J., Emhart, C.B., 1974. The relation of subclinical lead level to cognitive and sensorimotor impairment in black preschoolers. J. Learn. Disabil. 7, 616—620. 

Stelmach, G. E., V. Homberg (1993). Sensorimotor impairment in the elderly, Kluwer Academic, Norwell MA. 

Perino, ]. and Emhart, C.B. (1974) The relation of subclinical lead level to cognitive and sensorimotor impairment in black preschoolers. ]. Learn. Disabil, 7, 26—30 Ramey, C.T., Farran, D.C. and Campbell, F.A. (1979) Predicting IQ from mother-child interactions. Child Dev., 50, 804-814... 

An epidemiological study tested the effects of chronic exposure to jet fuel in factory workers (Knave et al. 1978). This study found significant increases in neurasthenia (i.e., fatigue, depressed mood, lack of initiative, dizziness, and sleep disturbances) in the exposed subjects when compared to unexposed controls from the same factory. Also, attention and sensorimotor speed were impaired in the exposed workers, but... 

In one case study, anorexia was reported in a man who washed his hands with diesel fuel over several weeks (Crisp et al. 1979). Effects resulting from inhalation versus dermal exposure could not be distinguished in this case. An epidemiological study found a significant increase in neurasthenia (i.e., fatigue, depressed mood, lack of initiative, dizziness, and sleep disturbances) in workers who were chronically exposed to jet fuels by either inhalation, oral, and/or dermal exposure (Knave et al. 1978). Also, attention and sensorimotor speed were impaired in the exposed workers, but no effects were found on memory function or manual dexterity. Results of EEG tests suggest that the exposed workers may have instability in the thalamocortical system. The limitations of the study were discussed in detail in Section 2.2.1.2 under Respiratory Effects. 

A number of effects have been associated with chronic exposure to jet fuel in factory workers (Knave et al. 1978). These effects included increases in the occurrence of neurasthenia (anxiety and/or mental depression, fatigue, depressed mood, lack of initiative, dizziness, palpitations, thoracic oppression, sleep disturbances) and eye irritation. Psychological tests found that attention and sensorimotor speed were impaired in exposed workers, but there were no effects on memory functions or manual dexterity. EEG tests suggested that there may have been instability in the thalamocortical system in the exposed group. However, the type of jet fuels were not noted nor was there a control for exposure to other compounds. Inhalation exposure is likely since jet fuel vapor was detected by the study authors however, dermal and oral (i.e., eating with contaminated hands) exposures may also be possible. 

Small thalamic lesions may cause a pure sensory stroke or sensorimotor stroke, sometimes with ataxia in the same limbs (Schmahmann 2003). However, other deficits may occur in isolation, or in combination depending on which thalamic nuclei are involved. These include paralysis of upward gaze, small pupils, apathy, depressed consciousness, hypersomnolence, disorientation, visual hallucinations, aphasia and impairment of verbal memory attributable to the left thalamus, and visuospatial dysfunction attributable to the right thalamus. Occlusion of a single small branch of the proximal posterior cerebral artery can cause bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction with severe retrograde and anterograde amnesia. 

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