Multifocal cerebral demyelination after magic mushroom abuse

Spengos, Konstantinos; Schwartz, Armin; Hennerici, M.

doi:10.1007/s004150050570

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(6 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…1 Drugs of abuse such as toluene, ethanol, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin have been associated with the phenomenon. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] Even immunosuppressive agents such as amphotericin B and hexachlorophene have been shown to cause toxic leukoencephalopathy in patients. 1 In addition to known toxic causes of leukoencephalopathy, there are several diseases that can present with a similar constellation of signs and symptoms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemotherapy-induced toxic leukoencephalopathy causes a wide range of symptoms: a series of four autopsies

2004

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We have observed an increasing number of autopsies on patients with chemotherapy-related complications. One complication is toxic leukoencephalopathy, which is due to a direct toxic effect of chemotherapeutic agents on the central nervous system white matter. Autopsies of four cases of toxic leukoencephalopathy were performed following standard protocols. The brain and spinal cord were examined routinely, and histological sections were taken for evaluation. We report here three patients with hematologic malignancies and one patient with metastatic carcinoma with chemotherapy-induced leukoencephalopathy. The first was a 56-yearold male treated with multiple chemotherapeutics for multiple myeloma. He presented with confusion and focal seizures with a rapid progression to coma and decerebrate posturing. The second was a 36-year-old male who developed mental status changes, ataxia and dysarthria following treatment for lymphoma. The third was a 16-year-old male who developed a profound peripheral and central neuropathy after chemotherapy treatment for Tcell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The fourth was a 49-year-old female patient who was treated with multiple chemotherapeutics for Stage II breast carcinoma and subsequently developed visual acuity and field defects. The neuropathologic findings in these cases, although similar, varied in severity and distribution. The white matter was affected by severe myelin pallor, edema, and a prominent macrophage infiltrate in each of the cases. The location and extent of the central nervous system pathology correlated with the type and severity of clinical symptoms. These four cases, with their varied presenting symptoms, clinical courses, and degree of pathology, emphasize the importance of considering toxic leukoencephalopathy as an etiology of acute neurologic deterioration following high-dose chemotherapy.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemotherapy-induced toxic leukoencephalopathy causes a wide range of symptoms: a series of four autopsies

2004

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…170 The literature of the subject describes 1 case of 33-year-old patient who developed a monoparesis of the left leg and bilateral anopia 2 weeks after the consumption of magic mushrooms due to multifocal cerebral demyelination within the corpus callosum of the right cerebral hemisphere and both optic nerves. 169 …”

Section: Psilocybin/psilocin Side Effects and Toxicitymentioning

confidence: 97%

“…166 A destruction of blood-brain barrier under action of psilocin is possible. 169 Similarly, serotonin released in high amounts from platelets may damage blood-brain barrier. 170 The literature of the subject describes 1 case of 33-year-old patient who developed a monoparesis of the left leg and bilateral anopia 2 weeks after the consumption of magic mushrooms due to multifocal cerebral demyelination within the corpus callosum of the right cerebral hemisphere and both optic nerves.…”

Section: Psilocybin/psilocin Side Effects and Toxicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal Hallucinogens Psilocin, Ibotenic Acid, and Muscimol

Stebelska

2013

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Psychoactive drugs of fungal origin, psilocin, ibotenic acid, and muscimol among them have been proposed for recreational use and popularized since the 1960s, XX century. Despite their well-documented neurotoxicity, they reached reputation of being safe and nonaddictive. Scientific efforts to find any medical application for these hallucinogens in psychiatry, psychotherapy, and even for religious rituals support are highly controversial. Even if they show any healing potential, their usage in psychotherapy is in some cases inadequate and may additionally harm seriously suffering patients. Hallucinogens are thought to reduce cognitive functions. However, in case of indolealkylamines, such as psilocin, some recent findings suggest their ability to improve perception and mental skills, what would motivate the consumption of "magic mushrooms." The present article offers an opportunity to find out what are the main symptoms of intoxication with mushrooms containing psilocybin/psilocin, muscimol, and ibotenic acid. The progress in analytical methods for detection of them in fungal material, food, and body fluids is reviewed. Findings on the mechanisms of their biologic activity are summarized. Additionally, therapeutic potential of these fungal psychoactive compounds and health risk associated with their abuse are discussed.

show abstract

“…There is a single 1971 case report of hemiplegia after LSD, suggesting that LSD can produce vasospasms (Sobel et al, 1971). Another report described a fibrotic inflammatory mass in the mesentery of a chronic LSD user and multifocal cerebral demyelination for a user of psilocybin (Spengos et al, 2000). Another report described a fibrotic inflammatory mass in the mesentery of a chronic LSD user and multifocal cerebral demyelination for a user of psilocybin (Spengos et al, 2000).…”

Section: Acute Pharmacological Effects Of Lsdmentioning

confidence: 99%