lathyrism

Pronunciation: lath′i-rizm

Definition: A disease occurring in Ethiopia, Algeria, and India, characterized by various nervous manifestations, tremors, spastic paraplegia, and paresthesias; prevalent in districts where vetches, khasari (Lathyrus sativus), and allied species comprise the main food. Experimentally, a form of bone disease induced in laboratory animals by feeding L. sativus peas, or a principle derived from them, especially β-aminoproprionitrile.

Synonym(s): lupinosis, neurolathyrism

[L. lathyrus, vetch]

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