Abnormal neuronal migration in human fetal brain due to mercury poisoning

Journal Article · Mon Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 1977 · Am. J. Pathol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7103760

Choi, B H; Lapham, L W; Amin-Zaki, L; Saleem, T

Damage to the nervous system after poisoning with mercurial compounds has been documented clinically and experimentally. However, mercury poisoning of a human fetus due to maternal exposure has rarely been reported, and neuropathological studies have been limited. The report concerns clinical and neuropathologic findings in two fullterm infants who were exposed to mercury in utero by maternal ingestion of mercury-contaminated bread in early phases of pregnancy. High levels of mercury were detected in various regions of the brain at autopsy. Neuropathologic study revealed a disturbance in the development of the brain in both cases, consisting essentially of an incomplete or abnormal migration of neurons to the cerebellar and cerebral cortices. The laminar cortical pattern was disturbed in many regions of the cerebral cortex, as shown by irregular groupings and columnar arrangements of cortical neurons. Many heterotopic neutrons, both isolated and in groups, were found in the white matter of cerebrum and cerebellum. Prominent astrocytosis was also noted in the white matter. These findings indicate a high degree of vulnerability of human fetal brain to maternal intoxication of mercury and that the effects can be selective. The nature and pattern of the lesions demonstrate that mercury caused faulty development and not destructive focal tissue damage as has been observed in mercury intoxication in adults and children.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rochester, NY
• OSTI ID: 7103760
• Journal Information: Am. J. Pathol.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Pathol.; (United States) Vol. 86:2; ISSN AJPAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550900 -- Pathology
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560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BODY BURDEN
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
FETUSES
GROWTH
INJURIES
MAMMALS
MAN
MEDICINE
MERCURY
METALS
NERVE CELLS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NEUROLOGY
ORGANS
PREGNANCY
PRIMATES
SOMATIC CELLS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES