Neurotoxicity of δ-aminolevulinic acid and porphobilinogen

Rats were injected with δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and with porphobilinogen (PBG) into the lateral ventricle of the brain. An ataxia- and catatonia-like state, followed by jumping seizures, occurred dose dependently and without significant differences between ALA and PBG. The relatively high amount required and the clinical observation that seizures are not typically seen in patients with a porphyric attack make these substances not likely causative agents for the porphyric symptomatology.