Researchers from the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute
(IDIBELL) at the University of Barcelona (UB) have coordinated a
research into how the IDPN nitrile causes neurological syndromes
similar to those of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a
severe neuromuscular degenerative disease. The study, led by
Jordi Llorens, has been recently published in Neuropathology and
Applied Neurobiology journal. Nitriles, chemical compounds
containing the cyano (-CN) group, are ubiquitous in nature and
have diverse applications in industry. In nature they appear as
cyanogenic glycosides, for example in bitter almonds, and as
aminonitriles, in some legumes. In industry they are used as
solvents and intermediates in the synthesis of plastics,
synthetic fibers, resins and pharmaceutical products, among
others. The consumption by humans or animals of certain nitriles
can cause symptoms similar to cyanide poisoning. This fact
suggests that the release of this compound is responsible for
acute intoxication. Some nitriles