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Carretero VJ, Liccardi N, Tejedor MA, de Pascual R, Campano JH, Hernández-Guijo JM. Lead exerts a depression of neurotransmitter release through a blockade of voltage dependent calcium channels in chromaffin cells. Toxicology 2024; 505:153809. [PMID: 38648961 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The present work, using chromaffin cells of bovine adrenal medullae (BCCs), aims to describe what type of ionic current alterations induced by lead (Pb2+) underlies its effects reported on synaptic transmission. We observed that the acute application of Pb2+ lead to a drastic depression of neurotransmitters release in a concentration-dependent manner when the cells were stimulated with both K+ or acetylcholine, with an IC50 of 119,57 μM and of 5,19 μM, respectively. This effect was fully recovered after washout. Pb2+ also blocked calcium channels of BCCs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 of 6,87 μM. This blockade was partially reversed upon washout. This compound inhibited the calcium current at all test potentials and shows a shift of the I-V curve to more negative values of about 8 mV. The sodium current was not blocked by acute application of high Pb2+ concentrations. Voltage-dependent potassium current was also shortly affected by high Pb2+. Nevertheless, the calcium- and voltage-dependent potassium current was drastically depressed in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 24,49 μM. This blockade was related to the prevention of Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent calcium channels coupled to Ca2+-activated K+-channels (BK) instead a direct linking to these channels. Under current-clamp conditions, BCCs exhibit a resting potential of -52.7 mV, firing spontaneous APs (1-2 spikes/s) generated by the opening of Na+ and Ca2+-channels, and terminated by the activation of K+ channels. In spite of the effect on ionic channels exerted by Pb2+, we found that Pb2+ didn't alter cellular excitability, no modification of the membrane potential, and no effect on action potential firing. Taken together, these results point to a neurotoxic action evoked by Pb2+ that is associated with changes in neurotransmitter release by blocking the ionic currents responsible for the calcium influx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Jiménez Carretero
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Autónoma de Madrid, Av. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Ninfa Liccardi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Autónoma de Madrid, Av. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Maria Arribas Tejedor
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Autónoma de Madrid, Av. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Ricardo de Pascual
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Autónoma de Madrid, Av. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Jorge Hernández Campano
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Autónoma de Madrid, Av. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Jesús M Hernández-Guijo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Autónoma de Madrid, Av. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid 28029, Spain; Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, Km. 9,100, Madrid 28029, Spain.
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Tsotsokou G, Trompoukis G, Papatheodoropoulos C. Muscarinic Modulation of Synaptic Transmission and Short-Term Plasticity in the Dorsal and Ventral Hippocampus. Mol Cell Neurosci 2024; 129:103935. [PMID: 38703973 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2024.103935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Muscarinic neurotransmission is fundamentally involved in supporting several brain functions by modulating flow of information in brain neural circuits including the hippocampus which displays a remarkable functional segregation along its longitudinal axis. However, how muscarinic neuromodulation contributes to the functional segregation along the hippocampus remains unclear. In this study we show that the nonselective muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol similarly suppresses basal synaptic transmission in the dorsal and ventral CA1 hippocampal field, in a concentration-depended manner. Furthermore, using a ten-pulse stimulation train of varying frequency we found that carbachol changes the frequency filtering properties more in ventral than dorsal hippocampus by facilitating synaptic inputs at a wide range of input frequencies in the ventral compared with dorsal hippocampus. Using the M2 receptor antagonist gallamine and the M4 receptor antagonist tropicamide, we found that M2 receptors are involved in controlling basal synaptic transmission and short-term synaptic plasticity (STSP) in the ventral but not the dorsal hippocampus, while M4 receptors participate in modulating basal synaptic transmission and STSP in both segments of the hippocampus. These results were corroborated by the higher protein expression levels of M2 receptors in the ventral compared with dorsal hippocampus. We conclude that muscarinic transmission modulates excitatory synaptic transmission and short-term synaptic plasticity along the entire rat hippocampus by acting through M4 receptors and recruiting M2 receptors only in the ventral hippocampus. Furthermore, M4 receptors appear to exert a permissive role on the actions of M2 receptors on STSP in the ventral hippocampus. This dorsoventral differentiation of muscarinic modulation is expected to have important implications in information processing along the endogenous hippocampal circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giota Tsotsokou
- Laboratory of Physiology, University of Patras, Department of Medicine, Rion, Greece
| | - George Trompoukis
- Laboratory of Physiology, University of Patras, Department of Medicine, Rion, Greece
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Li Q, Feng Y, Wang R, Liu R, Ba Y, Huang H. Recent insights into autophagy and metals/nanoparticles exposure. Toxicol Res 2023; 39:355-372. [PMID: 37398566 PMCID: PMC10313637 DOI: 10.1007/s43188-023-00184-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Some anthropogenic pollutants, such as heavy metals and nanoparticles (NPs), are widely distributed and a major threat to environmental safety and public health. In particular, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) have systemic toxicity even at extremely low concentrations, so they are listed as priority metals in relation to their significant public health burden. Aluminum (Al) is also toxic to multiple organs and is linked to Alzheimer's disease. As the utilization of many metal nanoparticles (MNPs) gradually gain traction in industrial and medical applications, they are increasingly being investigated to address potential toxicity by impairing certain biological barriers. The dominant toxic mechanism of these metals and MNPs is the induction of oxidative stress, which subsequently triggers lipid peroxidation, protein modification, and DNA damage. Notably, a growing body of research has revealed the linkage between dysregulated autophagy and some diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. Among them, some metals or metal mixtures can act as environmental stimuli and disturb basal autophagic activity, which has an underlying adverse health effect. Some studies also revealed that specific autophagy inhibitors or activators could modify the abnormal autophagic flux attributed to continuous exposure to metals. In this review, we have gathered recent data about the contribution of the autophagy/mitophagy mediated toxic effects and focused on the involvement of some key regulatory factors of autophagic signaling during exposure to selected metals, metal mixtures, as well as MNPs in the real world. Besides this, we summarized the potential significance of interactions between autophagy and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative damage in the regulation of cell survival response to metals/NPs. A critical view is given on the application of autophagy activators/inhibitors to modulate the systematic toxicity of various metals/MNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Li
- Department of Environmental Health and Environment and Health Innovation Team, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001 Henan People’s Republic of China
| | - Yajing Feng
- Department of Environmental Health and Environment and Health Innovation Team, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001 Henan People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruike Wang
- Department of Environmental Health and Environment and Health Innovation Team, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001 Henan People’s Republic of China
| | - Rundong Liu
- Department of Environmental Health and Environment and Health Innovation Team, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001 Henan People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Ba
- Department of Environmental Health and Environment and Health Innovation Team, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001 Henan People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui Huang
- Department of Environmental Health and Environment and Health Innovation Team, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001 Henan People’s Republic of China
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Chronic Lead Exposure Results in Auditory Deficits and Disruption of Hair Cells in Postweaning Rats. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:4289169. [PMID: 31217838 PMCID: PMC6536999 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4289169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Objective The effects of lead exposure on cognitive function have been studied intensively over the past decade, but less attention has focused on its impact on auditory function. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of lead on the cochlea and the molecular mechanisms responsible for its actions. Methods 0.2% lead acetate was administered to rats in drinking water for 30, 60, and 90 days. Brainstem auditory evoked responses (ABR) were recorded, and morphological changes in the hair cells were observed. We also measured glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations and antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities in the cochlea. Results Lead exposure increased the ABR threshold and slightly prolonged the latencies of wave II and wave IV in rats. Abnormally shaped hair cells and loss of hair cells were found in the cochlea basilar membrane, together with degenerative changes in spiral ganglion neurons following lead exposure. The activities of some antioxidant enzymes were also reduced in association with upregulation of MDA expression. These effects may be caused by impaired catalytic function of the enzymes as a result of lead interaction. Conclusion The antioxidant system of the cochlea in the immature rat brain is highly vulnerable to developmental lead exposure. Oxidative stress may therefore represent a possible mechanism for lead-induced auditory deficits.
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Sales ME, Español AJ, Salem AR, Pulido PM, Sanchez Y, Sanchez F. Role of Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Breast Cancer: Design of Metronomic Chemotherapy. CURRENT CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 2019; 14:91-100. [PMID: 30501602 PMCID: PMC7011678 DOI: 10.2174/1574884714666181203095437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) have attracted interest as targets for therapeutic interventions in different illnesses like Alzheimer´s disease, viral infections and different tumors. Regarding the latter, many authors have studied each subtype of mAChRs, which seem to be involved in the progression of distinct types of malignancies. METHODS We carefully revised research literature focused on mAChRs expression and signaling as well as in their involvement in cancer progression and treatment. The characteristics of screened papers were described using the mentioned conceptual framework. RESULTS Muscarinic antagonists and agonists have been assayed for the treatment of tumors established in lung, brain and breast with beneficial effects. We described an up-regulation of mAChRs in mammary tumors and the lack of expression in non-tumorigenic breast cells and normal mammary tissues. We and others demonstrated that muscarinic agonists can trigger anti-tumor actions in a dose-dependent manner on tumors originated in different organs like brain or breast. At pharmacological concentrations, they exert similar effects to traditional chemotherapeutic agents. Metronomic chemotherapy refers to the administration of anti-cancer drugs at low doses with short intervals among them, and it is a different regimen applied in cancer treatment reducing malignant growth and angiogenesis, and very low incidence of adverse effects. CONCLUSION The usage of subthreshold concentrations of muscarinic agonists combined with conventional chemotherapeutic agents could be a promising tool for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- María E. Sales
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO)-CONICET. 2da Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro J. Español
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO)-CONICET. 2da Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina R. Salem
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO)-CONICET. 2da Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paola M. Pulido
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO)-CONICET. 2da Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Y. Sanchez
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO)-CONICET. 2da Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francisco Sanchez
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO)-CONICET. 2da Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Cai T, Luo W, Ruan D, Wu YJ, Fox DA, Chen J. The History, Status, Gaps, and Future Directions of Neurotoxicology in China. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2016; 124:722-732. [PMID: 26824332 PMCID: PMC4892912 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1409566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid economic development in China has produced serious ecological, environmental, and health problems. Neurotoxicity has been recognized as a major public health problem. The Chinese government, research institutes, and scientists conducted extensive studies concerning the source, characteristics, and mechanisms of neurotoxicants. OBJECTIVES This paper presents, for the first time, a comprehensive history and review of major sources of neurotoxicants, national bodies/legislation engaged, and major neurotoxicology research in China. METHODS Peer-reviewed research and pollution studies by Chinese scientists from 1991 to 2015 were examined. PubMed, Web of Science and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were the major search tools. RESULTS The central problem is an increased exposure to neurotoxicants from air and water, food contamination, e-waste recycling, and manufacturing of household products. China formulated an institutional framework and standards system for management of major neurotoxicants. Basic and applied research was initiated, and international cooperation was achieved. The annual number of peer-reviewed neurotoxicology papers from Chinese authors increased almost 30-fold since 2001. CONCLUSIONS Despite extensive efforts, neurotoxicity remains a significant public health problem. This provides great challenges and opportunities. We identified 10 significant areas that require major educational, environmental, governmental, and research efforts, as well as attention to public awareness. For example, there is a need to increase efforts to utilize new in vivo and in vitro models, determine the potential neurotoxicity and mechanisms involved in newly emerging pollutants, and examine the effects and mechanisms of mixtures. In the future, we anticipate working with scientists worldwide to accomplish these goals and eliminate, prevent and treat neurotoxicity. CITATION Cai T, Luo W, Ruan D, Wu YJ, Fox DA, Chen J. 2016. The history, status, gaps, and future directions of neurotoxicology in China. Environ Health Perspect 124:722-732; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1409566.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongjian Cai
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenjing Luo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Diyun Ruan
- Neurotoxicology Lab, School of Life Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yi-Jun Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Donald A. Fox
- College of Optometry,
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry,
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and
- Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jingyuan Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Lead Exposure Impairs Hippocampus Related Learning and Memory by Altering Synaptic Plasticity and Morphology During Juvenile Period. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:3740-3752. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9312-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Basha DC, Rani MU, Devi CB, Kumar MR, Reddy GR. Perinatal lead exposure alters postnatal cholinergic and aminergic system in rat brain: reversal effect of calcium co-administration. Int J Dev Neurosci 2012; 30:343-50. [PMID: 22326442 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2012.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2011] [Accepted: 01/12/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Our earlier studies indicated the role of neurotransmitter systems in lead (Pb) induced behavioral perturbations. In this study, we examined the alterations in synaptosomal acetylcholine (ACh), epinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the cerebellum and hippocampus of perinatally Pb-exposed rats. Rats (Wistar) were exposed to 0.2% Pb (Pb acetate in drinking water of mother) from gestational day 6 and the pups were exposed lactationally (through mother's milk) to Pb till weaning (postnatal day 21). Studies conducted on different postnatal days (PND 21, 28, 35 and 60) showed significant decreases in synaptosomal AChE and mitochondrial MAO activities, and increases in the levels of ACh, dopamine and epinephrine in the cerebellum and hippocampus of Pb-exposed rats. These alterations were greater at PND 35 and more pronounced in the cholinergic system (ACh and AChE) of hippocampus and the aminergic system (epinephrine, dopamine and MAO) of cerebellum. The total locomotor activity and exploratory behavior were also decreased significantly in Pb-exposed animals corresponding to the alterations observed in cholinergic and aminergic systems. Calcium administration together with Pb, however significantly reversed the Pb-induced alterations in transmitters and enzymes, as well as exploratory and motor behavior suggesting protective effect of calcium in Pb-exposed animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Chand Basha
- Department of Zoology, S.V. University, Tirupati 517502, India
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Pb2+: an endocrine disruptor in Drosophila? Physiol Behav 2009; 99:254-9. [PMID: 19800356 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2009] [Revised: 09/10/2009] [Accepted: 09/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Environmental exposure to Pb(2+) affects hormone-mediated responses in vertebrates. To help establish the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model system for studying such disruption, we describe effects of Pb(2+) on hormonally regulated traits. These include duration of development, longevity, females' willingness to mate, fecundity and adult locomotor activity. Developmental Pb(2+) exposure has been shown to affect gene expression in a specific region of the Drosophila genome (approximately 122 genes) involved in lead-induced changes in adult locomotion and to affect regulation of intracellular calcium levels associated with neuronal activity at identified synapses in the larval neuromuscular junction. We suggest ways in which Drosophila could become a new model system for the study of endocrine disruptors at genetic, neural and behavioral levels of analysis, particularly by use of genomic methods. This will facilitate efforts to distinguish between behavioral effects of Pb(2+) caused by direct action on neural mechanisms versus effects of Pb(+2) on behavior mediated through endocrine disruption.
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Hirsch HVB, Possidente D, Averill S, Despain TP, Buytkins J, Thomas V, Goebel WP, Shipp-Hilts A, Wilson D, Hollocher K, Possidente B, Lnenicka G, Ruden DM. Variations at a quantitative trait locus (QTL) affect development of behavior in lead-exposed Drosophila melanogaster. Neurotoxicology 2009; 30:305-11. [PMID: 19428504 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2009.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2008] [Revised: 12/31/2008] [Accepted: 01/12/2009] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
We developed Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study correlated behavioral, neuronal and genetic effects of the neurotoxin lead, known to affect cognitive and behavioral development in children. We showed that, as in vertebrates, lead affects both synaptic development and complex behaviors (courtship, fecundity, locomotor activity) in Drosophila. By assessing differential behavioral responses to developmental lead exposure among recombinant inbred Drosophila lines (RI), derived from parental lines Oregon R and Russian 2b, we have now identified a genotype by environment interaction (GEI) for a behavioral trait affected by lead. Drosophila Activity Monitors (TriKinetics, Waltham, MA), which measure activity by counting the number of times a single fly in a small glass tube walks through an infrared beam aimed at the middle of the tube, were used to measure activity of flies, reared from eggs to 4 days of adult age on either control or lead-contaminated medium, from each of 75 RI lines. We observed a significant statistical association between the effect of lead on Average Daytime Activity (ADA) across lines and one marker locus, 30AB, on chromosome 2; we define this as a Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) associated with behavioral effects of developmental lead exposure. When 30AB was from Russian 2b, lead significantly increased locomotor activity, whereas, when 30AB was from Oregon R, lead decreased it. 30AB contains about 125 genes among which are likely "candidate genes" for the observed lead-dependent behavioral changes. Drosophila are thus a useful, underutilized model for studying behavioral, synaptic and genetic changes following chronic exposure to lead or other neurotoxins during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut V B Hirsch
- Department of Biology, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
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