Fornazzari has shown that there is a decrease in brain volume in chronic inhalant abusers. Rosenberg in 1988 and Filley in 1990 demonstrated that this decrease is due to direct effects upon cerebral white matter. The clinical correlate is cerebellar encephalopathy. Ataxia, decreased coordination, dementia and disturbances of other higher functions are seen. Other physical morbidities, unlike the central nervous system effects, are usually related to specific chemicals found in some products.
Concerns exist regarding the unborn child.
A fetal solvent syndrome with similarities to fetal alcohol syndrome has been described by Pearson and colleagues and by Arnold and colleagues, both in 1994. Death due to inhalants can occur as a consequence of several mechanisms, including sudden sniffing death syndrome, suffocation, dangerous behavior and aspiration. In 1970 Bass described sudden sniffing death syndrome. Typically, the user is suddenly stimulated, rises to run, collapses and suddenly dies. The stimulation may be the result of being discovered in the act by a person of authority, or of a particularly moving hallucination.