Nitrous oxide induced neurotoxicity: a case report and literature review
Darmiga Thayabaran, Daniel Burrage
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A 29-year-old man with nitrous oxide-induced sensorimotor neuropathy |
| Intervention | Nitrous oxide |
| Key findings | The authors report a 29-year-old man who developed sensorimotor neuropathy from nitrous oxide use, which inactivates vitamin B12 and can cause haematological and neurological toxicity. They argue that clinicians should understand the pathophysiology and management of such toxicity, citing numerous reports of harm from recurrent or prolonged recreational use. |
Abstract
Nitrous oxide is an increasingly popular recreational drug. However recurrent or prolonged use can be associated with nitrous oxide toxicity, with numerous reports of harm documented in the literature. Nitrous oxide irreversibly binds and inactivates vitamin B12, which is an important co-factor in metabolic pathways involved in DNA and myelin synthesis. Toxicity is therefore associated with vitamin B12 deficiency-related syndromes, primarily involving haematological and neurological systems. As a ‘legal high’, nitrous oxide use has attracted repeated health warnings from experts. An awareness and understanding of the pathophysiology and management of nitrous oxide toxicity is therefore important for clinicians. We discuss the case of a 29-year old man presenting with nitrous oxide-induced sensorimotor neuropathy and review the existing literature surrounding toxicity.