Effects of occupational lead exposure on motor and somatosensory evoked potentials.

In order to objectivate the effects of inorganic lead compounds on the nervous system, 17 men occupationally exposed have been recorded for motor Electric Potentials (MEPs) of the abductor policis brevis muscles with transcranial, cervical roof and peripheral electrical stimulations, for Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SEPs) of median and fibial posterior nerves, and for Electromyography (EMG). Considering each subject, 16 out of the 17 lead exposed ones exhibited electrophysiological abnormalities, occuring at both peripheral and central levels for the somatosensory as well as for the motor systems