Toxic leukoencephalopathy
Encyclopedia
Toxic leukoencephalopathy or toxic spongiform leukoencephalopathy is a condition that is characterized by progressive damage (-pathy), of the white matter
White matter
White matter is one of the two components of the central nervous system and consists mostly of myelinated axons. White matter tissue of the freshly cut brain appears pinkish white to the naked eye because myelin is composed largely of lipid tissue veined with capillaries. Its white color is due to...

 (leuko-) of the brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...

 (-encephalo-) due to ingested toxin
Toxin
A toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms; man-made substances created by artificial processes are thus excluded...

s (toxic).

It is seen in some people who ingest heroin by route of smoking (chasing the dragon
Chasing the dragon
"Chasing the dragon" refers to inhaling the vapor from heated morphine, heroin, oxycodone or opium that has been placed on a piece of foil...

). It is currently unknown by what means the smoking of heroin causes the condition.

Toxic leukoencephalopathy has also been reported as a consequence of cranial irradiation and chemotherapy in the treatment of leukemias, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Toxic leukoencephalopathy affects white matter tracts devoted to higher cerebral function, causing clinical features that range from inattention, forgetfulness, and changes in personality to dementia, coma, and death. Obvious signs of the condition are difficulty with cognitive function and equilibrioception
Equilibrioception
Equilibrioception or sense of balance is one of the physiological senses. It helps prevent humans and animals from falling over when walking or standing still. Balance is the result of a number of body systems working together: the eyes , ears and the body's sense of where it is in space ideally...

.

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