Prolongation of the P-300 latency associated with hydrogen sulfide exposure
H. H. Wasch, W. J. Estrin, P. Yip, R. Bowler and J. E. Cone
Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco.
Three patients exposed to hydrogen sulfide developed persistent cognitive
impairment, as suggested by the P-300 event-related potential and measured
by neuropsychological testing. Routine neurological and physical
examinations were unremarkable, although the patients were sufficiently
impaired so as to be unable to work. The P-300 event-related potential and
neuropsychological testing proved to be important in the detection of
cognitive dysfunction following acute hydrogen sulfide exposure. The three
patients with neurocognitive dysfunction were acutely exposed to hydrogen
sulfide. The incidents occurred independently and under different
circumstances. Each patient was evaluated at the Northern California
Occupational Health Clinic, San Francisco, examined neurologically and
neuropsychologically, and evaluated with a P-300 event-related potential.
Each patient had persistent neurological symptoms, neuropsychological
deficit, and abnormally prolonged P-300 latencies.
