Review on Functional and Histological Effect of Lead on the Central Nervous System

Abstract

Environmental and occupational exposure to a large number of chemicals occurs at various stages throughout human life. The nervous system is the organ that appears to be the most sensitive and chief target for lead-induced toxicity in comparison to other organs. Lead is also found in lead-glazed ceramics, and food is eaten or stored in containers painted with lead-based paint or lead-containing glaze may contain significant amounts of lead. Lead exposure can affect all the components of the nervous system. The structures of the peripheral nervous system of an adult are more pronounced system to be affected by lead exposure. However, the central nervous system in children and the peripheral nervous system in adults is more prominently affected by lead exposure. A certain part of the brain can be easily affected by direct brain exposure to lead and the symptoms include dullness, irritability, poor attention span, headache, muscular tremor and alike could be seen. In the developing brain of children, lead interferes with synapse formation in the cerebral cortex that is an important neurochemical development. A reanalysis of the pooled studies found that a log-linear relationship between lead and IQ was a better fit within the ranges of lead in the studies than was a linear relationship (p<0.009). Collectively, the results of the pooled analysis and additional studies provide suggestive evidence of the effect of lead on neuron functions among children. Especially the fetuses and young children are vulnerable to lead and they show lack of coordination, convulsions, paralysis, coma and ataxia easily as compared to adults.

Keywords: Central nervous system, IQ, Lead, peripheral nervous system, toxicity

Cite this Article

Adhanom Gebreslassie Berhe, Nigus Abrha Tafere, Berhanu Mebrahte Gebremariam, Hafte Assefa Beyene. Review on Functional and Histological Effect of Lead on the Central Nervous System. Research and Reviews: Journal of Neuroscience. 2019; 9(3): 29–33p.