Toxic parkinsonism
People who are regularly exposed to heavy metals in their (work) environment—such as mercury, copper, manganese, and lead—can suffer damage to the brain’s substantia nigra. This may lead to Parkinson-like symptoms.
Parkinson’s syndrome
A Parkinson’s syndrome can also develop after poisoning with carbon monoxide or pesticides, and after long-term use of antipsychotics.
If too much manganese enters the body, it can quickly accumulate in specific areas of the brain and cause neurotoxic damage. This is known as manganese poisoning or manganism. The symptoms closely resemble those of Parkinson’s disease: tremors, motor problems, muscle stiffness, cognitive and psychiatric disorders.
Manganism
In manganism, inflammatory reactions can also occur in the lungs, along with metabolic disorders in the liver. This syndrome is also referred to as manganese-induced parkinsonism.
