Developmental Arsenic Exposure: Behavioral Dysfunctions and Neurochemical Perturbations

Riyaz Basha, G. Rajarami Reddy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Arsenic is a metalloid that occurs naturally in the environment. From ancient times it has been popular as a homicidal and/or suicidal poison. Arsenic compounds are known to cause several health hazards; however, the developing brain seems to be most vulnerable. Arsenic causes psychomotor, verbal learning, and memory deficits in children. Laboratory studies investigated the mechanism of arsenic-induced neuronal and behavioral perturbations, which suggested the association of neurotransmitter systems and oxidative stress in arsenic-induced neurotoxic and behavioral effects. While the use of chelating agents in treating heavy metal toxicity is common, laboratory studies using metal chelators and anti-oxidants showed promising results suggesting this combination is an effective strategy for the retrieval of arsenic-induced toxicity. The supplementation of endogenous metals calcium and zinc along with monoisoamyl dimercaptosuccinic acid (MiADMSA), a thiol chelator, showed greater protective efficacy against arsenic-induced neurotoxicity and behavioral outcomes when compared to individual or any of the two agents.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHandbook of Arsenic Toxicology
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages443-457
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9780124199552
ISBN (Print)9780124186880
DOIs
StatePublished - 8 Jan 2015

Keywords

  • Arsenic
  • Behavior
  • Development
  • Monoisoamyl dimercaptosuccinic acid
  • Neurotransmitters

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Developmental Arsenic Exposure: Behavioral Dysfunctions and Neurochemical Perturbations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this