Neuropathology Expert Opines on Permanent Brain Damage from Cyanide Poisoning

Case Overview

This case involves a facilities repair worker who suffered permanent neurological damage due to alleged cyanide exposure at his workplace. At the time of the incident in question, the man was working with several other individuals at an industrial scale metal polishing facility. The workers were performing maintenance near some of the facility’s machinery, which used cyanide containing compounds to polish metal, when they began to feel extremely sick. At the hospital, doctors reported that the workers were exhibiting signs of acute cyanide poisoning, including weakness, headaches, and vertigo, as well as nausea and vomiting. While the plaintiff survived this exposure, he claims to have sustained a debilitating, permanent brain injury.

Questions to the Neuroradiology expert and their responses

Can cyanide poisoning lead to brain injury?

In my professional opinion, both acute and persistent neurological injury can result from exposure to environmental sources of cyanide. In my own career, I have conducted several studies on the effect of cyanide poisoning on the brain using murine models.

About the expert

This expert received his PhD in Pathology from the University of London. One of five national Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., Fellows in the Neurosciences, he advanced at AECM to professor of Neuroscience, Neurology and Pathology, and founding director of the Institute of Neurotoxicology. He then joined Oregon Health & Science University to found the Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, which he directed for 21 years. He has served as Principal Investigator on numerous federal individual, program project and center grants. He is a 25+-year member of the American Society of Toxicology and he gave the 2013 Hooisma Lecture in Neurotoxicology and the 2010 Keynote Lecture for the Society of Toxicologic Pathology and International Federation of Societies of Toxicologic Pathologists. He is a recipient of the 2002 Distinguished Scientist Award in Neurotoxicology, American Society of Toxicology, the 1997 Snider Foundation Award for Lifetime Contributions to Toxicology, and the 1997 Silvio O. Conte prize for basic and applied neuroscience contributions relevant to environmental health. He currently serves as a Professor of Neurology at a Medical School in Oregon, and as a Senior Scientist at a local institute of occupational health services.

E-013460

Specialties:

Neuroradiology