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Indian Journal of Experimental Biology (IJEB) >
IJEB Vol.48 [2010] >
IJEB Vol.48(07) [July 2010] >
| Title: | Developmental exposure to lead and late life abnormalities of nervous system |
| Authors: | Basha, Riyaz
Reddy, G Rajarami |
| Keywords: | Developmental exposure
Environmental exposure
Epigenetics
Lead
Neurodegeneration |
| Issue Date: | Jul-2010 |
| Publisher: | CSIR |
| Abstract: | Role of developmental exposure to
environmental agents in altering the disease process is well known. Exposure to
chemical agents at critical periods of development may cause some permanent
changes in the functioning of various vital systems including the nervous
system in the organisms. It is not surprising to see an extensive response due
to exposure to chemical agents early in life as the organ systems are more
vulnerable to chemical insults during developmental stages. In some cases the
response to low level environmental insults may not be obvious until adult or
old age. Results from several studies have shown such latency in response to
the nervous system leading to neurodegeneration in old age. Studies conducted
in murine and primate models provided ample evidence for the association of
developmental exposure to low levels of heavy metal lead (Pb) and Alzheimer’s
disease-like pathology during senescence. It is not clear about the reasons
behind such response; however, the contribution of epigenetic mechanisms could
explain the role of early events in life in inducing the late life
abnormalities of nervous system. It is possible that environmental agents
epigenetically modulate the gene regulation to persist the response silent for
a long period of time and to result pathological outcomes significantly later
in life. This article will summarize the association of early life exposure to
environmental agents and late-life abnormalities with an emphasis on
developmental exposure to Pb and neurodegeneration in old age. |
| Page(s): | 636-641 |
| ISSN: | 0975-1009 (Online); 0019-5189 (Print) |
| Source: | IJEB Vol.48(07) [July 2010]
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