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World Health Organization criteria define chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy (CSE) as a substance-induced persisting dementia. Because no neurobiologic disturbances have been identified in patients with this disorder, CSE is still a controversial entity (Clin Occup Environ Med 2004; 4:621), and prevention measures have not been mandated for the millions of workers regularly exposed to solvents.
These researchers looked for imaging abnormalities in the frontostriatothalamic (FST) circuitry and for correlations with neuropsychological deficits that have been described in CSE; they also sought evidence of preclinical solvent-related effects. The FST hypothesis is supported by the association of deterioration of this circuitry (indicated by …