Neurotoxicology
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Comparative Study
Chronic exposure to anesthetic gases affects balance control in operating room personnel.
Exposure to anesthetic gases is known to alter certain structures and functions of the central nervous system. As the effects of long-term exposure on balance control mechanisms have been the subject of few investigations, these were evaluated in 53 operating room personnel exposed to anesthetic gases and in 53 non-exposed individuals. ⋯ This poorer ability to modify the weight and to switch the different cues controlling balance suggests central information processing disorders. By impairing information and its central integration, exposure to anesthetics gases leads to inappropriate organization of sensorimotor stabilization strategies.