Beverly S. Lemus
May 7, 2018
BMED-3122
An Analysis of “Konzo: From Poverty, Cassava, and Cyanogen Intake to Toxico-
Nutritional Neurological Disease.”
Title
An investigation of Konzo: its causes and its detrimental effects on the human body.
Authors
Hipolito Nzwalo and Julie Cliff.
Abstract
Konzo is a disease that results in spastic paraparesis which is the partial paralysis of the
lower limbs. In the case of Konzo, this paraparesis does not progress but remains
permanent. It is a prevalent disease, occurring throughout countries in Africa in endemic
and epidemic forms. This disease is consistently seen with the sole intake of poorly
processed cassava root with very low supplementation of protein.
Introduction
Konzo is a disease that affects the nervous system and is categorized by damage to the
upper motor neurons which is displayed in a sudden development of permanent and
