Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation
Published on: June 17, 2015
Toxicology of alkylmercury compounds
Michael Aschner1, Natalia Onishchenko, Sandra Ceccatelli
1Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and the Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. michael.aschner@vanderbilt.edu
Abstract:
Methylmercury is a global pollutant and potent neurotoxin whose abundance in the food chain mandates additional studies on the consequences and mechanisms of its toxicity to the central nervous system. Formulation of our new hypotheses was predicated on our appreciation for (a) the remarkable affinity of mercurials for the anionic form of sulfhydryl (-SH) groups, and (b) the essential role of thiols in protein biochemistry. The present chapter addresses pathways to human exposure of various mercury compounds, highlighting their neurotoxicity and potential involvement in neurotoxic injury and neurodegenerative changes, both in the developing and senescent brain. Mechanisms that trigger these effects are discussed in detail.
Related Concept Videos
Oxymercuration-Reduction of Alkenes
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,...
Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Toxicity Testing in Animals
Toxidromes: Clinical Features
Physical Properties of Amines
