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Effects of early low-level lead exposure on human brain structure, organization and functions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 September 2010

K. M. Cecil
K. M. Cecil*
Affiliation:
Cincinnati Children’s Environmental Health Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Departments of Radiology, Pediatrics, Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: K. M. Cecil, PhD, Professor, Radiology, Pediatrics, Neuroscience & Environmental Health, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Radiology, MLC 5033, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. (Email kim.cecil@chmcc.org)
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Abstract

Advanced neuroimaging techniques offer unique insights into how childhood lead exposure impacts the brain. Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging affords anatomical information about the size of global, regional and subcomponent structures within the brain. Diffusion tensor imaging provides information about white matter architecture by quantitatively describing how water molecules diffuse within it. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy generates quantitative measures of neuronal, axonal and glial elements via concentration levels of select metabolites. Functional magnetic resonance imaging infers neuronal activity associated with a given task performed. Employing these techniques in the study of the Cincinnati Lead Study, a relatively homogeneous birth cohort longitudinally monitored for over 30 years, one can non-invasively and quantitatively explore how childhood lead exposure is associated with adult brain structure, organization and function. These studies yield important findings how environmental lead exposure impacts human health.

Keywords

brainexposureimaginglead
Type
Themed Content: Role of Environmental Stressors in the Developmental Origins of Disease
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 2 , Issue 1: Including Themed Content: Role of Environmental Stressors in the Developmental Origins of Disease , 23 February 2011 , pp. 17 - 24
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2010

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