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Updated: Jul 6, 2025
Functional Neuroimaging Using Ultrasonic Blood-brain Barrier Disruption and Manganese-enhanced MRI
Published on: July 12, 2012
Signal Transduction Associated with Mn-induced Neurological Dysfunction
Xiao-Wei Zheng1,2, Yuan-Yuan Fang1,2, Jun-Jie Lin1,2
1Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-Yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
Abstract:
Manganese (Mn) is a heavy metal that occurs widely in nature and has a vital physiological role in growth and development. However, excessive exposure to Mn can cause neurological damage, especially cognitive dysfunction, such as learning disability and memory loss. Numerous studies on the mechanisms of Mn-induced nervous system damage found that this metal targets a variety of metabolic pathways, for example, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, cellular signaling pathway changes, and neurotransmitter metabolism interference. This article reviews the latest research progress on multiple signaling pathways related to Mn-induced neurological dysfunction.
Insights
Excessive manganese exposure harms the brain, causing cognitive issues like memory loss. This review details how manganese disrupts key cellular pathways, leading to neurological damage.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element crucial for physiological functions.
- Overexposure to manganese can lead to significant neurotoxicity, particularly affecting cognitive functions.
- Known cognitive impairments include learning disabilities and memory loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding manganese-induced neurological dysfunction.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying manganese neurotoxicity.
- To highlight the role of various signaling pathways in manganese-related nervous system damage.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific research.
- Analysis of studies investigating manganese's impact on cellular and molecular pathways.
- Synthesis of findings on endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, and neuroinflammation.
Main Results:
- Manganese targets multiple critical metabolic and signaling pathways in the nervous system.
- Key affected pathways include endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, and neuroinflammation.
- Disruption of cellular signaling and neurotransmitter metabolism contributes to neurotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Manganese neurotoxicity is a complex process involving the disruption of numerous cellular signaling pathways.
- Understanding these pathways is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate manganese-induced cognitive dysfunction.
- Further research into these mechanisms can inform preventative and therapeutic approaches.
