Occupational Neurology

Marcello Lotti MD is a Professor in the Department of Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Sciences at the University of Padua Medical School in Italy and the director of the Occupational Medicine Clinic. He received his MD at the University of Padua where he specialized in Occupational Medicine. He worked for several years at the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit in Carshalton UK and at the University of California San Francisco Medical School, USA. Besides his clinical activities, the focus of his research is on the biochemical mechanisms of neurotoxic disorders occurring at work places and elsewhere, and on environmental pollution. He is the author of more than 200 publications. He was a consultant for several governments and national and international organizations.

Dr. Margit L. Bleecker is a leader in Occupational Neurology, having produced the textbook, Occupational Neurology and Clinical Neurotoxicology and published articles on neurotoxic exposure and disorders associated with mechanical stress in the workplace. She has a PhD degree from SUNY, an MD from the UC San Francisco, did her neurology residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and remained there 11 years before becoming Director of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Neurology (COEN). At COEN, workers with neurotoxic exposures from heavy metals, solvents, carbon monoxide, and pesticides are evaluated. Other conditions evaluated include post concussion syndrome, traumatic brain injury, complex regional pain syndrome, and upper extremity/neck disorders from workplace injury, including from paint manufacturing industry, smelter workers, and meat packing and newspaper industries. Medical management programs are integrated with ergonomic interventions as models for prevention, identification, and treatment of work-related illnesses/injuries associated with ergonomic stressors.