Serious adverse behavioural effects are often associated with toluene abuse related to the deliberate inhalation of solvents.[22] Long term toluene exposure is often associated with effects such as: psychoorganic syndrome;[23] visual evoked potential (VEP) abnormality;[23] toxic polyneuropathy, cerebellar, cognitive, and pyramidal dysfunctions;[22][23] optic atrophy; and brain lesions.[22]

Toluene causes postural tremors by increasing extracellular concentrations of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) within the cerebellar cortex.[22] Treatment with GABA agonists such as, benzodiazepines provide some relief from toluene induced tremor and ataxia.[22] An alternative to drug treatment is vim thalamotomy.[22] The tremors associated with toluene misuse do not seem to be a transient symptom, but an irreversible and progressive symptom which continues after solvent abuse has been discontinued.[22]