Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic Neuropathy

DefinitionDiabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by long-standing diabetes mellitus. It results directly from prolonged high blood sugar levels.PathophysiologyThe pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy involves both metabolic and vascular disturbances triggered by chronic hyperglycemia.Metabolic injury: Elevated glucose levels activate the polyol pathway within nerve cells, leading to the accumulation of sorbitol and fructose. This increases oxidative stress, disrupts normal nerve...

Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers

Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers

Local anesthetics (LAs) block the sodium channels of nerve trunks, sensory nerve endings, and neuromuscular junctions. Although LAs can block all kinds of nerves, the sensitivity of nerve fibers differs according to nerve types and structures. LAs are known to block myelinated fibers faster than unmyelinated ones. Also, they block pain or sensory neurons at low concentrations without affecting the motor neurons involved in muscle contractions. This helps relieve labor pain without affecting the...

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...

Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants

Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants

Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating sympathetic or...

Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects

Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects

While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

In Situ Monitoring of Latex Film Formation by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering: Evolving Distributions of Hydrophilic Stabilizers in Drying Colloidal Films.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2019

Same author

End-of-life issues: Withdrawal and withholding of life-sustaining healthcare in the emergency department: A comparison between emergency physicians and emergency registrars: A sub-study.

Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA·2016

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity

Published on: April 26, 2012

Peripheral neuropathy following nitrous oxide abuse.

Philip G Richardson¹

¹Department of Emergency Medicine, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Butterfield St., Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia. philip_richardson@health.qld.gov.au

Emergency Medicine Australasia : EMA

|February 16, 2010

Summary

Prolonged nitrous oxide abuse can cause neurological damage, leading to peripheral neuropathy. This case highlights the importance of considering substance abuse in undifferentiated neurological presentations in the emergency department.

More Related Videos

Ethanol-Induced Cervical Sympathetic Ganglion Block Applications for Promoting Canine Inferior Alveolar Nerve Regeneration Using an Artificial Nerve

Ethanol-Induced Cervical Sympathetic Ganglion Block Applications for Promoting Canine Inferior Alveolar Nerve Regeneration Using an Artificial Nerve

Published on: November 30, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity

Published on: April 26, 2012

Ethanol-Induced Cervical Sympathetic Ganglion Block Applications for Promoting Canine Inferior Alveolar Nerve Regeneration Using an Artificial Nerve

Ethanol-Induced Cervical Sympathetic Ganglion Block Applications for Promoting Canine Inferior Alveolar Nerve Regeneration Using an Artificial Nerve

Published on: November 30, 2018

Area of Science:

Neurology
Toxicology
Emergency Medicine

Background:

Undifferentiated neurological presentations are common in emergency departments.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause demyelination and peripheral neuropathy.
Nitrous oxide is an anesthetic adjuvant but also a drug of abuse.

Purpose of the Study:

To report a case of peripheral neuropathy resulting from nitrous oxide abuse.
To highlight the neurological risks associated with nitrous oxide misuse.

Main Methods:

Case report of a patient presenting with neurological symptoms.
Review of patient's history and substance use.
Clinical and diagnostic evaluation for peripheral neuropathy.

Main Results:

The patient developed a peripheral neuropathy.
Prolonged and intensive nitrous oxide abuse was identified as the cause.
Neurological deficits were progressive due to demyelination and axonal lesions.

Conclusions:

Nitrous oxide abuse can lead to severe peripheral neuropathy.
Emergency departments should consider substance abuse in patients with unexplained neurological symptoms.
Awareness of nitrous oxide's abuse potential is crucial for clinicians.