Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Toxic leukoencephalopathy
Introduction
Toxic leukoencephalopathy or toxic spongiform leukoencephalopathy is a condition that is characterized by progressive damage (-pathy), of the white matter (leuko-) of the brain (-encephalo-) due to ingested toxins (toxic).
It is seen in some people who ingest heroin by route of smoking (chasing the dragon). It is currently unknown by what means the smoking of heroin causes the condition.
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.[1]
Obvious signs of the condition are difficulty with cognitive function and equilibrioception.
Editor-In-Chief: Template:Search infobox C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]