Manganese-Induced Parkinsonism: A Review of Etiologies and Treatments

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that leads to neuronal loss. Though a variety of genetic and environmental factors may be involved in the etiology, the presentation of the disorder is very similar. Trace minerals such as manganese are essential for brain development and function though effective concentrations are paramount. Exposure to high concentrations of manganese is known to cause neurotoxicity and has been recently associated with manganese-induced parkinsonism, which will be explored in this review. This review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed clinical, epidemiological, and experimental studies to explore the underlying mechanisms and contributing factors of manganese-induced parkinsonism. Specifically, it examines alterations in lipidomic and oxidative profiles, enhancement of redox cycling, transporter dysfunction and deficiency, ion homeostasis, dysregulation of signaling pathways and autophagy, mRNA disruption, dopamine toxicity, manganese contamination, and neuroprotective mechanisms. Preventative and therapeutic interventions-including chelation therapy with ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (CaNa₂EDTA), with or without plasma exchange and para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS), as well as natural compounds such as vinpocetine (VIN), punicalagin (PUN), niacin, vitamin E, DNLA, curcumin, and sesame oil-are also reviewed. Given manganese's role as an oxidant in the synthesis of neurotoxic compounds, therapeutic strategies targeting both manganese, its associated molecular pathways, and its downstream neurotoxic effects may represent the most promising direction for future research.