Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
Functional Neuroimaging Using Ultrasonic Blood-brain Barrier Disruption and Manganese-enhanced MRI
Published on: July 12, 2012
Impact of Manganese on Neuronal Function: An Exploratory Multi-Omics Study on Ferroalloy Workers in Brescia, Italy
Somaiyeh Azmoun1, Freeman C Lewis1, Daniel Shoieb2
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
Background:
There is growing interest in the potential role of manganese (Mn) in the development of Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD).
Methods:
In this nested pilot study of a ferroalloy worker cohort, we investigated the impact of chronic occupational Mn exposure on cognitive function through β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and multi-omics profiling. We evaluated six male Mn-exposed workers (median age 63, exposure duration 31 years) and five historical controls (median age: 60 years), all of whom had undergone brain PET scans. Exposed individuals showed significantly higher Aβ deposition in exposed individuals (p < 0.05). The average annual cumulative respirable Mn was 329.23 ± 516.39 µg/m3 (geometric mean 118.59), and plasma Mn levels were significantly elevated in the exposed group (0.704 ± 0.2 ng/mL) compared to controls (0.397 ± 0.18 in controls).
Results:
LC-MS/MS-based pathway analyses revealed disruptions in olfactory signaling, mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation, biogenic amine synthesis, transmembrane transport, and choline metabolism. Simoa analysis showed notable alterations in ADRD-related plasma biomarkers. Protein microarray revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in antibodies targeting neuronal and autoimmune proteins, including Aβ (25-35), GFAP, serotonin, NOVA1, and Siglec-1/CD169.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest Mn exposure is associated with neurodegenerative biomarker alterations and disrupted biological pathways relevant to cognitive decline.
