Neurotoxic actions of methylmercury on the primate visual system

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Neurobehav. Toxicol. Teratol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6133587

Merigan, W H; Maurissen, J P.J.; Weiss, B; Eskin, T; Lapham, L W

Visual system consequences of exposure to methylmercury were studied in six adult, macaque monkeys. Visual field measures, visual thresholds, and morphological examination were used to determine the nature and possible reversibility of alterations in vision. Visual field constriction (especially in the inferior-nasal field) was an early and apparently reversible indicator of methylmercury intoxication. Such a field loss was found in the absence of either visual threeshold changes or morphologic alterations in visual cortex. More severe poisoning resulted in persistent field constriction, disruption of visual thresholds, and death. A single monkey showed a permanent, bilateral concentric constriction of visual fields. The locus of visual cortex pathology in this monkey corresponded to the projection of the peripheral visual field.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rochester Medical Center, NY
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76EV03490
• OSTI ID: 6133587
• Journal Information: Neurobehav. Toxicol. Teratol.; (United States), Journal Name: Neurobehav. Toxicol. Teratol.; (United States) Vol. 5; ISSN NTOTD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BODY
BODY AREAS
DATA
DEATH
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
EYES
FACE
HEAD
INFORMATION
INJURIES
MAMMALS
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METHYLMERCURY
MONKEYS
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NERVE CELLS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PRIMATES
SENSE ORGANS
SOMATIC CELLS
TESTING
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES
VISION