Progressive supranuclear palsy-like parkinsonism resulting from occupational exposure to lead sulphate batteries

A 53-year-old man who had worked for 17 years manufacturing car batteries, with overt exposure to lead, developed a clinical picture initially characterized by signs of parkinsonism, followed by atypical signs such as loss of memory, reduction of eye movement, dysarthria, chorea-like dyskinesia and sexual impotence. The diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism was eventually changed to progressive supranuclear palsy-like parkinsonism. The patient was treated with various anti-Parkinson's disease drugs, including levodopa, with modest improvement. The symptoms deteriorated progressively, leading to permanent occupational disability with noticeable limitation of daily activities. Toxicological studies revealed abnormally high blood levels of lead. Discontinuation of lead exposure was followed first by clinical stabilization and then steady improvement. This case confirms recent reports that link exposure to lead and its compounds with degenerative diseases of the central nervous system, such as Parkinson's disease.