Biology Department, College of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia.
Behav Brain Res. 2025 Jan 5;476:115212. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115212. Epub 2024 Aug 24.
Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic are prevalent in the environment due to both natural and anthropogenic sources, leading to significant public health concerns. These heavy metals are known to cause damage to the nervous system, potentially leading to a range of neurological conditions including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study examines the complex relationship between heavy metal exposure and AD, focusing on the underlying mechanisms of toxicity and potential therapeutic approaches. This review article highlights how these metals can impair brain function through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurotransmitter disruption, ultimately contributing to neurodegenerative diseases like AD. It also addresses the challenges in diagnosing heavy metal-induced cognitive impairments and emphasizes the need for further research to explore effective treatment strategies and preventive measures against heavy metal exposure.
重金属如铅、镉、汞和砷由于自然和人为来源而普遍存在于环境中，引起了重大的公共卫生关注。这些重金属已知会对神经系统造成损害，可能导致一系列神经疾病，包括阿尔茨海默病（AD）、帕金森病（PD）、肌萎缩侧索硬化症（ALS）、多发性硬化症（MS）和注意缺陷多动障碍（ADHD）。本研究检查了重金属暴露与 AD 之间的复杂关系，重点关注毒性的潜在机制和潜在的治疗方法。这篇综述文章强调了这些金属如何通过氧化应激、炎症和神经递质紊乱等机制损害大脑功能，最终导致 AD 等神经退行性疾病。它还解决了诊断重金属引起的认知障碍的挑战，并强调需要进一步研究探索针对重金属暴露的有效治疗策略和预防措施。
