Abstract
3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) — a suicide inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase — is a widely distributed plant and fungal neurotoxin known to induce damage to basal ganglia, hippocampus, spinal tracts and peripheral nerves in animals. Recent reports from Northern China indicate that 3-NPA is also likely to be responsible for the development of putaminal necrosis with delayed dystonia in children after ingestion of mildewed sugar cane. This article discusses the role of 3-NPA in the causation of the disease in China, its neurotoxic effects in animals and the potential role for this compound as a probe of selective neuronal vulnerability.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 492-498 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1991 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology