New and evolving concepts in the neurotoxicology of lead

L.D. WHITE, D.A. CORY-SLECHTA, M.E. GILBERT, E. TIFFANY-CASTIGLIONI,N.H. ZAWIA, M. VIRGOLINI, A. ROSSI-GEORGE, S.M. LASLEY, Y. QIAN, MD. RIYAZ.BASHA.

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Año: 2007 vol. 225 p. 1 - 1

img alt="" src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/user/LOCALS~1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" />Lead (Pb) is a xenobiotic metal with no known essential function in cellular growth, proliferation, or signaling. Decades of research characterizingthe toxicology of Pb have shown it to be a potent neurotoxicant, especially during nervous system development. New concepts in the neurotoxicologyof Pb include advances in understanding the mechanisms and cellular specificity of Pb. Experimental studies have shown that stress can significantlyalter the effects of Pb, effects that could potentially be mediated through alterations in the interactions of glucocorticoids with the mesocorticolimbicdopamine system of the brain. Elevated stress, with corresponding elevated glucocorticoid levels, has been postulated to contribute to the increasedlevels of many diseases and dysfunctions in low socioeconomic status populations. Cellular models of learning and memory have been utilized toi