Two Serious and Challenging Medical Complications Associated with Volatile Substance Misuse: Sudden Sniffing Death and Fetal Solvent Syndrome

Abstract

Volatile substance misuse is a prevalent and often overlooked behavior among adolescents, including reported use among young pregnant women. Several medical repercussions can arise from the improper use of volatile substances, yet they are often underappreciated among scientists and health professionals. This brief review reports on the recent advances made in the preclinical and clinical data about two serious medical complications surrounding volatile substance misuse: sudden sniffing death and fetal solvent syndrome. Suggestions for treatment interventions are discussed. The paper's limitations are noted.

Keywords :

• sudden sniffing death
• fetal solvent syndrome
• volatile substance misuse
• adolescents
• toluene

THE AUTHORS

Scott E. Bowen, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Area Chair of the Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience program within the Department of Psychology at Wayne State University. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Wayne State University. His preclinical research is focused on behavioral pharmacology, behavioral toxicology, and neurobehavioral teratology. His research investigates the acute and chronic behavioral effects of abused drugs, with particular focus on volatile substances. His research is also focusing on the development of a rodent model of prenatal misuse of volatile organic solvents (e.g., toluene). This research in neurobehavioral teratology includes animal models and clinical studies of the mechanisms, outcomes, and treatment of the effects of prenatal exposure to toluene (fetal solvent syndrome).