Clinical manifestations

Presentation and course

The manifestations of acrylamide toxicity depend on the degree and duration of exposure. The usual route of exposure is through the skin; therefore, a contact dermatitis is usually present prior to the clinical symptoms of neuropathy. In the setting of acute exposure, malaise, dizziness, anorexia, and headache are often present. With high-level acute exposure, the neurologic picture includes encephalopathy with seizures and truncal ataxia followed by peripheral neuropathy (04). Early behavioral changes may be more or less apparent to the patient than others. With more chronic, low-level exposure, the dermatitis persists, but the CNS effects are not as prominent.

The neuropathy resulting from acrylamide is an example of a central-peripheral distal axonopathy. This describes a process whereby the distal portion of the longest peripheral axons are affected first, but with continued exposure, the distal segments of corticospinal, spinocerebellar, and dorsal column axons become subsequently involved (23). Early clinical manifestations include toe numbness and widespread hyporeflexia. Large fiber sensory dysfunction with loss of vibration and proprioception is common, whereas pain and paresthesias are rare (22). Acute, high-level exposure often results in widespread autonomic dysfunction such as impairment of reflex changes in heart rate and blood pressure, vasomotor changes in fingers and toes, and excessive sweating. Overt autonomic dysfunction is less common in chronic exposure and may be limited to excessive sweating of the hands and feet. Although sensory complaints dominate, motor and cerebellar deficits may be evident on physical examination. Cranial nerve function is unaffected.

Prognosis and complications

Removal from exposure usually results in recovery if the neuropathy is mild. Some residual loss of vibratory sensation may be apparent. However, in the case of severe neuropathy, spasticity, and ataxia, more profound sensory dysfunction and memory problems may remain. Central nervous system dysfunction, such as spasticity and upper motor neuron weakness, may be obscured initially by the peripheral nerve dysfunction. As nerve recovery ensues, clinical dysfunction may remain due to unresolved central nervous system dysfunction. Coasting, the worsening of symptoms after termination of exposure, may occur (05).

Biological basis

Etiology and pathogenesis

Acrylamide is absorbed by inhalation, dermal contact, or ingestion. Most occupational intoxication occurs through the dermal route. Both the parent compound and its metabolite, glycinamide, are neurotoxic (01). Acrylamide appears to selectively accumulate in the distal portions of peripheral nerves (02). A decrease in the activity of glutathione-S-transferase activity may be related to the onset of neuropathy (07). Acrylamide alters the profile of cytoskeletal proteins in the sciatic nerves of rats and this may be related to the mechanism of neuropathy (27).

Cell biology. Acrylamide appears to interfere with axonal transport (19; 12), resulting in an accumulation of neurofilaments and axonal swelling (21). The swelling is most prominent in the paranodal region, possibly due to the constriction of the axon at that point (24). The reduction in fast axonal transport is not dependent on neurofilaments, as transgenic mice without axonal neurofilaments also have reduction in fast axonal transport when exposed to acrylamide (25). In addition to the effects on axonal transport, high-level acute exposure has been shown in animals to cause chromatolysis in the dorsal root ganglion cells (26). Morphologic studies using silver stain have shown that the dose and acuity of exposure determine whether the damage is primarily at the nerve terminal or there is involvement of axons (16). The same group of investigators has subsequently extended this observation (17). They found that with 2 separate dosing regimens, nerve terminal damage was the initial manifestation of acrylamide toxicity. These researchers now question the significance of axonal swelling and feel it is a secondary event and not the primary mechanism of neuronal dysfunction. Studies of acrylamide neuropathy in rats have shown a correlation between neurophysiologic changes and altered levels of glutathione (reduced) and malondialdehyde (increased), suggesting oxidative stress may play a role in the mechanism of disease (28). Finally, although small fiber dysfunction is not a primary manifestation clinically, skin biopsy studies in mice show early changes in intraepidermal nerve fibers (14).

Epidemiology

Acrylamide neuropathy is almost exclusively an occupational exposure problem.

Prevention

Education of the potentially toxic effects of acrylamide is the first step toward preventing disease related to exposure. As dermal absorption is a potential source of exposure, protective clothing and gloves should be worn. Good personal hygiene should be stressed (eg, washing hands prior to eating). Adequate ventilation can help prevent respiratory exposure, and respirators should be used in areas with high levels in the air. Association of exposure levels to nerve conduction and vibratory perception thresholds using data from a prior study of Chinese workers led to a risk stratification model (20).

Differential diagnosis

Any other etiology of a slowly progressive, symmetric, distal axonopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis. The combination of a sensory greater than motor neuropathy and spasticity raises the possibility of B12 deficiency (subacute combined degeneration). The clinical findings of contact dermatitis, excessive sweating of the extremities, and a sensory greater than motor neuropathy, in the proper clinical setting, should prompt inquiry regarding acrylamide exposure.

Diagnostic workup

Neurophysiologic testing reveals reduced amplitude sensory responses with preservation of motor amplitude and conduction velocity (11). These findings are characteristic of a distal axonopathy. In some instances the electrophysiologic abnormalities may precede the development of symptoms. The sural nerve biopsy correlates with the physiologic and clinical manifestations showing reduced numbers of large diameter, thickly myelinated fibers (06). Studies have demonstrated that both acrylamide and glycinamide can be detected in minute quantities in rat plasma, and that this may be applicable to humans (03).

Management

Supportive measures are discussed in Peripheral neuropathies: supportive measures and rehabilitation.

Preventing further exposure to acrylamide is the primary treatment modality. Acute ingestion should prompt gastric lavage to reduce levels of intoxication. Liver and renal failure may necessitate blood transfusions or hemodialysis. In cases where there is significant residual sensory loss or weakness, the patient may benefit from rehabilitation including physical and occupational therapy to improve function. Spasticity can be managed using baclofen or tizanidine.

Special considerations

Pregnancy

A study of dietary history found that pregnant mothers consuming foods with higher acrylamide content had lower birthweight infants (08).