| Neurolathyrism | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Neurology |
| Symptoms | Weakness, fatigue, paralysis of the legs, atrophy of leg muscles |
| Usual onset | Gradual |
| Duration | Permanent |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms and diet |
| Frequency | Rare |
Neurolathyrism, is a neurological disease of humans, caused by eating certain legumes of the genus Lathyrus. This disease is mainly associated with the consumption of Lathyrus sativus (also known as grass pea, chickling pea, kesari dal, or almorta) and to a lesser degree with Lathyrus cicera, Lathyrus ochrus and Lathyrus clymenum[1] containing the toxin ODAP.
This is not to be confused with osteolathyrism, a different type of lathyrism that affects the connective tissues.[2] Osteolathyrism results from the ingestion of Lathyrus odoratus seeds (sweet peas) and is often referred to as odoratism. It is caused by a different toxin (beta-aminopropionitrile) which affects the linking of collagen, a protein of connective tissues.
Another type of lathyrism is angiolathyrism which is similar to osteolathyrism in its effects on connective tissue. However, the blood vessels are affected as opposed to bone.