A Hypothesis and Evidence That Mercury May be an Etiological Factor in Alzheimer’s Disease

Siblerud, Robert L.; Mutter, Joachim; Moore, E.E.; Naumann, Johannes; Walach, Harald

doi:10.3390/ijerph16245152

Cited by 65 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…These organic forms of mercury bio-accumulate in the food chain and thus people who consume highly contaminated seafood, including fish, shellfish, getsseverely affected [111]. The brain is a highly susceptible organ to methyl-mercury and sufficient evidences are linked with several vascular disorders including damage to BBB, vascular dementia, endothelial dysfunction, white matter hyperintense, and stroke [112][113][114][115]. Earlier studies concluded that multifactorial mechanisms have been suggested in Hg induced toxicity and oxidative stress is one of primary mechanism involved in the BBB permeability impairment, which modifies Hg induced neurotoxicity [40,116].…”

Section: Mercury (Hg)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Heavy Metal-Induced Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Insights into Molecular Mechanisms and Possible Reversal Strategies

Patwa

Flora

2020

IJMS

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Heavy metals are considered a continuous threat to humanity, as they cannot be eradicated. Prolonged exposure to heavy metals/metalloids in humans has been associated with several health risks, including neurodegeneration, vascular dysfunction, metabolic disorders, cancer, etc. Small blood vessels are highly vulnerable to heavy metals as they are directly exposed to the blood circulatory system, which has comparatively higher concentration of heavy metals than other organs. Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is an umbrella term used to describe various pathological processes that affect the cerebral small blood vessels and is accepted as a primary contributor in associated disorders, such as dementia, cognitive disabilities, mood disorder, and ischemic, as well as a hemorrhagic stroke. In this review, we discuss the possible implication of heavy metals/metalloid exposure in CSVD and its associated disorders based on in-vitro, preclinical, and clinical evidences. We briefly discuss the CSVD, prevalence, epidemiology, and risk factors for development such as genetic, traditional, and environmental factors. Toxic effects of specific heavy metal/metalloid intoxication (As, Cd, Pb, Hg, and Cu) in the small vessel associated endothelium and vascular dysfunction too have been reviewed. An attempt has been made to highlight the possible molecular mechanism involved in the pathophysiology, such as oxidative stress, inflammatory pathway, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression, and amyloid angiopathy in the CSVD and related disorders. Finally, we discussed the role of cellular antioxidant defense enzymes to neutralize the toxic effect, and also highlighted the potential reversal strategies to combat heavy metal-induced vascular changes. In conclusion, heavy metals in small vessels are strongly associated with the development as well as the progression of CSVD. Chelation therapy may be an effective strategy to reduce the toxic metal load and the associated complications.

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Section: Mercury (Hg)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Heavy Metal-Induced Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Insights into Molecular Mechanisms and Possible Reversal Strategies

Patwa

Flora

2020

IJMS

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“…Methylmercury (MeHg) is considered extremely neurotoxic to the developing brain and chronic exposure to this environmental neurotoxicant may be associated with increased risk of accelerated cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Indeed, mercury intoxication has been implicated in the etiology of Alzheimer's dementia (Siblerud et al, 2019), putatively causing profound and lasting cognitive decline with aging. Natural and anthropogenic-related environmental disasters may increase the exposure of human populations to mercury intoxication.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methylmercury Impact on Adult Neurogenesis: Is the Worst Yet to Come From Recent Brazilian Environmental Disasters?

Raposo

Pinto

Moreira

et al. 2020

Front. Aging Neurosci.

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Worldwide environmental tragedies of anthropogenic origin causing massive release of metals and other pollutants have been increasing considerably. These pollution outbreaks affect the ecosystems and impact human health. Among those tragedies, recent large-scale environmental disasters in Brazil strongly affected riverside populations, leading to high-risk exposure to methylmercury (MeHg). MeHg is highly neurotoxic to the developing brain. This toxicant causes neural stem cell dysfunction and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. However, less is known about the effects of MeHg in the postnatal neurogenic niche, which harbors neural stem cells and their progeny, in the adult brain. Therefore, taking in consideration the impact of MeHg in human health it is urgent to clarify possible associations between exposure to mercury, accelerated cognitive decline, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this perspectives paper, we discuss the neurotoxic mechanisms of MeHg on postnatal neurogenesis and the putative implications associated with accelerated brain aging and early-onset cognitive decline in populations highly exposed to this environmental neurotoxicant.

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“…The half-life of mercury is 30-60 days, while in the brain it reaches about 20 years. The binding of elemental mercury to the brain after oxidation is due to selenium, which probably contributes to the retention of mercury for a longer period of time ( 25 ).…”

Section: Toxic Environmental Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxic Environmental Factors and their Association with the Development of Dementia: a Mini Review on Heavy Metals and Ambient Particulate Matter

et al. 2020

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Introduction: More and more studies are trying to establish a connection between dementia and environmental pollution. Dementia, most commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease, is a chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that is directly associated to aging. Although the etiology of the disease is not fully understood, it is recognized as a multifactorial one. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of various forms of dementia. Both predisposing genes and environmental pollution have been shown to affect brain function through a variety of mechanisms. Aim: The purpose of this bibliographic work is «ecological consciousness» of modern societies to be awaken, to identify the harmful environmental factors and to highlight their involvement in the causal pathogenesis of the most debated disease, dementia. Methods: Trying to achieve this aim, the available bibliography was reviewed and selected for further study. In particular, recent bibliographic data and scientific papers were selected, mainly from the last five years. The information was collected using the keywords “environmental pollution”, “ toxic agents” and “etiology of dementia”, with particular emphasis on “Alzheimer’s disease”. The data were selected mainly from medical research databases. In particular, they were selected by PubMed, BioMed Central and Science Direct. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, long-term exposure of individuals to pollutants may be associated with an increased risk of dementia. However, we must be cautious in our conclusions, as further reliable studies are needed to confirm the stated evidence. Among other things, health professionals are responsible for promoting health, preventing and encouraging lifestyle change, so that the progressively growing elderly population remains autonomous, healthy and active.

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A Hypothesis and Evidence That Mercury May be an Etiological Factor in Alzheimer’s Disease

Cited by 65 publications

References 72 publications

Heavy Metal-Induced Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Insights into Molecular Mechanisms and Possible Reversal Strategies

Heavy Metal-Induced Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Insights into Molecular Mechanisms and Possible Reversal Strategies

Methylmercury Impact on Adult Neurogenesis: Is the Worst Yet to Come From Recent Brazilian Environmental Disasters?

Toxic Environmental Factors and their Association with the Development of Dementia: a Mini Review on Heavy Metals and Ambient Particulate Matter

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