n-Hexane-induced changes in visual evoked potentials and electroretinograms of industrial workers

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and averaged extraocular electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded from 15 workers occupationally exposed to n-hexane for 5-21 years and from 10 healthy control persons. The amplitude of the VEP components was clearly smaller among the exposed subjects with the exception of N0, which tended to be larger. In addition, the latencies of P1 and N1 were longer among the exposed workers, while that of P2 was slightly shorter. The peak-to-peak amplitude of the ERGs was also diministed among the exposed subjects. The changes were interpreted to indicate cerebral dysfunction, probably conduction block in intracerebral axons. n-Hexane is an aliphatic hydrocarbon found in gasoline and used in various industrial applications. It has been shown to cause axonal neuropathy of the dying-back type in both experimental animals and humans. According to the present findings the central nervous system is alos susceptible to the toxic effects of n-hexane.