Cognitive and Behavioral Impairment

Heavy metals impact the function of our brains in ways that mimic or exacerbate autism spectrum disorders and ADHD.

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MECHANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL IMPAIRMENT INDUCED BY ARSENIC EXPOSURE

Inorganic and methylated arsenic species can accumulate in different tissues including the brain, in which the accumulation is region-specific. Perinatal exposure to arsenic leads to long-term behavioral, cognitive, and motor deficits. The neurotoxic mechanisms of arsenic include exacerbated oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired synaptic activity, which drive cell damage and, ultimately, cell death.
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Vázquez Cervantes, Gustavo Ignacio et al. “Mechanisms Associated with Cognitive and Behavioral Impairment Induced by Arsenic Exposure.” Cells vol. 12,21 2537. 28 Oct. 2023, doi:10.3390/cells12212537

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METAL PROFILES IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS: A CROSSTALK BETWEEN TOXIC AND ESSENTIAL METALS

Intriguingly, metals affect the critical molecular aspects of ASD, including oxidative stress, inflammation, synapse development, synaptic communication, brain connectivity, and gut-brain signaling.
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Błażewicz, Anna, and Andreas M Grabrucker. “Metal Profiles in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Crosstalk between Toxic and Essential Metals.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 24,1 308. 24 Dec. 2022, doi:10.3390/ijms24010308

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HEAVY METALS' EFFECT ON SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER: IMPLICATION OF LEAD, CADMIUM, AND ANTIMONY

Our findings indicate metals’ relationship to susceptibility to ADHD, especially for lead, cadmium, and antimony. Children’s neurocognitive function is particularly correlated to lead levels. 
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Lee, Min-Jing et al. “Heavy Metals' Effect on Susceptibility to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Implication of Lead, Cadmium, and Antimony.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 15,6 1221. 10 Jun. 2018, doi:10.3390/ijerph15061221