Neurotoxic effect of lead at low concentrations
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2026

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Human Physiology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy. Fisiou@ssmain.uniss.it
Abstract:
The effects of lead exposure at low concentrations were evaluated by studying the post-rotatory nystagmus (PRN) in two groups of rats exposed for 3 months to 50 parts per million (ppm) of sodium acetate and 50 ppm of lead acetate, respectively, in the drinking water. Only animals treated with lead acetate showed changes of the PRN parameters which were significantly related to the concentration of lead in the blood and in brain structures. The patterns of PRN responses were characterized and classified into four types: progressively inhibitory (40%), prematurely inhibitory (25%), late inhibitory (25%), and excitatory-inhibitory (10%). No alterations of the PRN parameters were observed in the animals treated with sodium acetate. The results show that exposure to lead, even at low concentrations, impairs both sensory and motor functions. The findings also point out that the vestibular system and brain stem structures which generate and control the PRN represent targets of the action of this heavy metal. Finally, the results indicate that the evaluation of the vestibulo-ocular-reflex can provide a test suited for the screening of the neurotoxic effects of lead even in the absence of clinical signs typical of lead intoxication.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Toxic Reactions: Overview
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions
Hepatic Encephalopathy
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
Long-term Depression
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over time, all...

