PETROL SNIFFERS 'CAN RECOVER' FROM BRAIN DAMAGE

A Northern Territory research centre has claimed a world first in
discovering that the brain can completely recover from damage caused
from petrol sniffing.

The Menzies School of Health Research says brain damage in chronic
low-level petrol sniffers is not permanent.

Researcher Sheree Cairney says former petrol sniffers can regain their
ability to concentrate, remember, learn and control their emotions.

"We've studied people who have abstained from petrol sniffing for up
to two years," she said.

"This is the first exciting evidence showing that people who do have
this sort of brain damage can recover with abstinence and they may
even recover completely if the level of impairment is not too
significant."