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Summary of Study Results

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Each entry below represents one finding in the 36 neuropathy studies, unless otherwise noted. Some studies had multiple findings.  For more information, see Neuropathy Table of Contents and Neuropathy and PCBs Introduction.    Research has also linked PCBs and diabetes, therefore diabetic neuropathy may be closely related.  Diabetes.

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Summary of Main Neuropathy Findings

  • neuropathy is caused by accidental or occupational PCB poisoning (14 studies)
  • peripheral neuropathy has been adopted as a standard symptom of PCB poisoning
  • nerve conduction velocity testing is recommended as standard medical practice following PCB exposure
  • numbness in the extremities, decreased vibration sense (14 studies)
  • paresthesia (abnormal sensations, such as tingling, numbness, pins and needles)    (6 studies)
  • pain (neuralgia) (2 studies)
  • slower motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (10 studies)
  • unusual fatigue (7 studies)
  • weakness (2 studies)
  • staggering
  • abnormal current perception threshold measurements
  • PCBs produce toxic axonal neuropathy
  • areflexia of lower extremities (absence of reflexes) (2 studies)
  • hyporeflexia (diminution or weakening of reflexes)
  • ankle jerk was lost or decreased
  • atrophy of small foot muscles
  • chronic neuropathy with pronounced decrease of thick myelinated nerve fibers
  • scarce fibrillations
  • hypoesthesia (abnormally decreased sensitivity to stimuli, particularly to touch. Called also hypesthesia.)
  • acrodynia (a disease of infancy and early childhood marked by pain and swelling in, and pink coloration of, the fingers and toes and by listlessness, irritability, failure to thrive, profuse perspiration, and sometimes scarlet coloration of the cheeks and tip of the nose. It is normally due to absorption of mercury. Called also erythredema polyneuropathy and pink disease.)
  • dysmetria (inability to properly direct or limit motions)
  • tremors
  • the higher the PCB concentration, the lower the nerve conduction velocity was of each nerve studied
  • no relationship between blood PCB concentration in patients with neurological manifestation and those without
  • symptoms were not correlated with blood PCB concentration or the pattern of PCB
  • synergistic/additive effect of PCBs with nerve growth factor, a protein required for the development and maintenance of ACh-containing neurones
  • calcium homeostasis plays a critical regulatory role in cell-cell communication and signaling [PCBs alter calcium homeostasis]
  • comfort complaints of too hot and too cold (thermal discomfort) (2 studies)
  • neurophysiological methods were reviewed for detection of PCB neurotoxicity (1969)
  • detoxification treatments reduced the effects
neuropathy, peripheral nervous system, peripheral neuritis, nervous system disorder, diabetic neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, ulnar neuropathy, neuropathy symptom, diabetes neuropathy, foot neuropathy, sensory neuropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neuropathy periferal, neuropathy cause, cause of neuropathy, cause neuropathy peripheral
Summary of Mental Effects Associated With Neuropathy
  • headache (12 studies)
  • dizziness (6 studies)
  • visual disturbances, blurred vision (3 studies)
  • reduced recall and long-term memory
  • impaired recent memory/mental dullness (2 studies)
  • deficits in immediate auditory recall
  • reduced visuo/spatial perception and logic
  • learning difficulties
  • cognitive dysfunction (brain damage) due to adult exposure
  • cognitive deficits in children (brain damage)
  • neurophysiological impairments and cognitive and psychomotor dysfunction
  • impaired or reduced choice reaction time, sway speed, blink reflex latency, and performance on a psychomotor control test
  • reduced psychomotor reaction time
  • inability to concentrate (2 studies)
  • increased prevalence of nervousness
  • irritability
  • sleeping difficulties
  • depression
  • impaired hearing
  • decreased or lost sense of smell (anosmia) (2 studies)
  • peculiar odor/taste
neuropathy, peripheral nervous system, peripheral neuritis, nervous system disorder, diabetic neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, ulnar neuropathy, neuropathy symptom, diabetes neuropathy, foot neuropathy, sensory neuropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neuropathy periferal, neuropathy cause, cause of neuropathy, cause neuropathy peripheral
Summary of Other Symptoms
  • respiratory problems --- chronic bronchitis-like symptoms, such as cough and sputum (8 studies)
  • chloracne --- acne-like eruption, infection and scar formation (7 studies)
  • disorder of Meibomian glands (tear ducts), edema of eye lids and increased discharge from the eyes (4 studies)
  • abdominal pain (3 studies)
  • intensive sweating (3 studies)
  • skin irritation, itching, smarting and redness (2 studies)
  • nausea (2 studies)
  • abnormal, irregular heart beat (2 studies)
  • liver damage (2 studies)
  • breathlessness
  • weight loss
  • soreness of joints
  • deformity of nails
  • hepatic porphyria
  • sexual impotence
  • immunosuppression
  • prevalence of lupus was significantly greater
  • bruising
  • general malaise (2 studies)
Go to Details of the 36 Studies linking PCBs and Neuropathy

neuropathy, peripheral nervous system, peripheral neuritis, nervous system disorder, diabetic neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, ulnar neuropathy, neuropathy symptom, diabetes neuropathy, foot neuropathy, sensory neuropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neuropathy periferal, neuropathy cause, cause of neuropathy, cause neuropathy peripheral
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neuropathy, peripheral nervous system, peripheral neuritis, nervous system disorder, diabetic neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, ulnar neuropathy, neuropathy symptom, diabetes neuropathy, foot neuropathy, sensory neuropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neuropathy periferal, neuropathy cause, cause of neuropathy, cause neuropathy peripheral

neuropathy, peripheral nervous system, peripheral neuritis, nervous system disorder, diabetic neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, ulnar neuropathy, neuropathy symptom, diabetes neuropathy, foot neuropathy, sensory neuropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neuropathy periferal, neuropathy cause, cause of neuropathy, cause neuropathy peripheral


neuropathy, peripheral nervous system, peripheral neuritis, nervous system disorder, diabetic neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, ulnar neuropathy, neuropathy symptom, diabetes neuropathy, foot neuropathy, sensory neuropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neuropathy periferal, neuropathy cause, cause of neuropathy, cause neuropathy peripheral