Neurotoxicity Associated with Trimethyltin or Triethyltin

 

Chemical structure: trialkyl (alkyl indicates derived from aliphatic hydrocarbons)

 

Triethyltin is myelinotoxic. Trimethyltin is neurotoxic and is associated with more marked behavioral changes due to involvement of the hippocampus and other regions in the brain.

 

Signs and symptoms associated effects on the central nervous system:

(1) headache

(2) behavioral change (agitation, inappropriate affect, etc)

(3) cerebral edema

(4) delirium

(5) seizures

(6) cognitive and memory impairment

(7) spatial disorientation

(8) depression

(9) hearing loss (secondary to ototoxicity)

 

The compounds can be found in the blood or urine for days or even weeks after the exposure.

 

The effects of triethyltin tends to be reversible once the exposure has ceased, while trimethyltin may have long-term effects.