Data on Alzheimer Disease Reported by Researchers at University of Michigan (Heavy Metals Exposure and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias)

2020 SEP 28 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Disease Prevention Daily -- Fresh data on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Conditions - Alzheimer Disease are presented in a new report. According to news reporting from Ann Arbor, Michigan, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, “Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias lack effective treatment or cures and are major public health challenges. Risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is partially attributable to environmental factors.”

Funders for this research include National Institutes of Health, ALS Association.

The news correspondents obtained a quote from the research from the University of Michigan, “The heavy metals lead, cadmium, and manganese are widespread and persistent in our environments. Once persons are exposed to these metals, they are adept at entering cells and reaching the brain. Lead and cadmium are associated with numerous health outcomes even at low levels of exposure. Although manganese is an essential metal, deficiency or environmental exposure or high levels of the metal can be toxic. In cell and animal model systems, lead, cadmium, and manganese are well documented neurotoxicants that contribute to canonical Alzheimer’s disease pathologies. Adult human epidemiologic studies have consistently shown lead, cadmium, and manganese are associated with impaired cognitive function and cognitive decline. No longitudinal human epidemiology study has assessed lead or manganese exposure on Alzheimer’s disease specifically though two studies have reported a link between cadmium and Alzheimer’s disease mortality. More longitudinal epidemiologic studies with high-quality time course exposure data and incident cases of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are warranted to confirm and estimate the proportion of risk attributable to these exposures. Given the widespread and global exposure to lead, cadmium, and manganese, even small increases in the risks of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias would have a major population impact on the burden on disease.”

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “This article reviews the experimental and epidemiologic literature of the associations between lead, cadmium, and manganese on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and makes recommendations of critical areas of future investment.”

For more information on this research see: Heavy Metals Exposure and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease, 2020;76(4):1215-1242. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease can be contacted at: Ios Press, Nieuwe Hemweg 6B, 1013 Bg Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Kelly M. Bakulski, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Dept. of Epidemiology, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States. Additional authors for this research include Ruby C. Hickman, Daniel Brandt, Harita S. Vadari, Sung Kyun Park, Young Ah Seo and Howard Hu.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-200282. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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