Comparative observations on inorganic and organic lead neurotoxicity

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Environmental Health Perspectives; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.908943· OSTI ID:5624153

Verity, M A ^[1]

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1. Univ. of California, Los Angeles (USA)

Environmental and occupational exposure to lead still generates concern, and recent studies have focused such concern on the role of body burden of lead during the fetal/neonatal period, especially in the genesis of disturbed central nervous system development. This discussion provides some comparative observations on the neurotoxicity of inorganic and organic lead species. The characteristic acute, predominantly cerebellar encephalopathy associated with neonatal high lead exposure contrasts to the subtle, axo-dendritic disorganization shown to be associated with low-level neonatal inorganic Pb{sup 2+} exposure. There is a preferential involvement of the hippocampus in both low-level inorganic Pb{sup 2+} and organolead exposure, and the clinical syndromes of irritability, hyperactivity, aggression, and seizures are common features of disturbed hippocampal function. Neurotransmitter system abnormalities have been described with inorganic Pb{sup 2+}, but recent attention has focused on the abnormalities in glutamate, dopamine, and/or {gamma}-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake, efflux, and metabolism. Abnormalities of GABA and glutamate metabolism are also found with the organolead species. Testable hypotheses are presented that may provide an understanding of the pathogenesis underlying dystrophic neuronal development under the influence of inorganic or organolead intoxication.

• OSTI ID: 5624153
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives; (USA) Vol. 89; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACETYLCHOLINE
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
AMINES
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
ANIMAL TISSUES
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
BEHAVIOR
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOELECTRICITY
BODY
BRAIN
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHEMISTRY
DRUGS
ELECTRICITY
ENDOTHELIUM
ESTERS
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
LEAD COMPOUNDS
NECROSIS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NEUROREGULATORS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PARASYMPATHOMIMETICS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
QUATERNARY COMPOUNDS
TISSUES
TOXICITY
UPTAKE