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Lathyrism: a neurotoxic disease
Neurobehavioral Toxicology and Teratology
|November 1, 1983
Summary
Lathyrism, a neurotoxic disease from Lathyrus sativus, causes irreversible spastic paraparesis. The exact cause remains unknown, but beta-(N)-oxalyl-amino-L-alanine acid (BOAA) is a potential culprit requiring further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Toxicology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Lathyrism is an ancient neurotoxic disease linked to consuming Lathyrus sativus (chickling pea).
- The disease manifests as irreversible spastic paraparesis, primarily affecting the spinal cord.
- While historically widespread, lathyrism is now mainly found in India, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the etiology of lathyrism, a neurotoxic disorder.
- To identify the specific agent within Lathyrus species responsible for inducing paralysis.
- To evaluate the potential role of beta-(N)-oxalyl-amino-L-alanine acid (BOAA) in human lathyrism.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical and current prevalence of lathyrism.
- Analysis of experimental animal models and their relevance to human lathyrism.
- Focus on the neurotoxic potential of beta-(N)-oxalyl-amino-L-alanine acid (BOAA).
Main Results:
- Lathyrism causes irreversible spastic paraparesis with poorly understood spinal cord degeneration.
- Domestic animals like horses can develop paralysis from Lathyrus fodder.
- Beta-(N)-oxalyl-amino-L-alanine acid (BOAA) is present in causative Lathyrus species and may induce similar neuropathological changes.
Conclusions:
- The precise agent causing human lathyrism is yet to be definitively identified.
- Further chronic primate feeding studies with BOAA are necessary to confirm its role in human lathyrism.
- Other Lathyrus compounds like beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) cause osteolathyrism and angiolathyrism, distinct from neurotoxic lathyrism.