This article schematically reviews the clinical features, diagnostic approaches 
to, and toxicological implications of toxic encephalopathy. The review will 
focus on the most significant occupational causes of toxic encephalopathy. 
Chronic toxic encephalopathy, cerebellar syndrome, parkinsonism, and vascular 
encephalopathy are commonly encountered clinical syndromes of toxic 
encephalopathy. Few neurotoxins cause patients to present with pathognomonic 
neurological syndromes. The symptoms and signs of toxic encephalopathy may be 
mimicked by many psychiatric, metabolic, inflammatory, neoplastic, and 
degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Thus, the importance of good 
history-taking that considers exposure and a comprehensive neurological 
examination cannot be overemphasized in the diagnosis of toxic encephalopathy. 
Neuropsychological testing and neuroimaging typically play ancillary roles. The 
recognition of toxic encephalopathy is important because the correct diagnosis 
of occupational disease can prevent others (e.g., workers at the same worksite) 
from further harm by reducing their exposure to the toxin, and also often 
provides some indication of prognosis. Physicians must therefore be aware of the 
typical signs and symptoms of toxic encephalopathy, and close collaborations 
between neurologists and occupational physicians are needed to determine whether 
neurological disorders are related to occupational neurotoxin exposure.