Citation

Andrews CJ, Reisner AD. Neural Regen. Res. 2017; 12(5): 677-686.

Affiliation

Forensic Diagnostic Center of District Nine, Cambridge, OH, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Neural Regeneration Research, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, P.R. China, Publisher Wolters Kluwer)

DOI

10.4103/1673-5374.206636

PMID

28616016

PMCID

PMC5461597

Abstract

Injuries from lightning and electrical injuries involve multiple systems of the body, however neurological symptoms are very widely reported. A disabling neuropsychological syndrome is also noted. This paper presents a comprehensive review of neurological and neuropsychological symptoms. Partial theories of causation for these injuries have been advanced, however, there is no convincing explanation for both delay in onset of symptoms and also the genesis of the neuropsychological syndrome. A theory of causation is proposed which satisfies both these constraints. This theory suggests circulating hormones such as cortisol, together with nitric oxide and oxidant free radicals from glutamatergic hyper-stimulation, act on tissues remote from the injury path including the hippocampus. This theory opens a research path to explore treatment options.

Language: en

Keywords

electrical injury; injury; lightning injury; neurology; neuropsychiatry; neuropsychology; trauma