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Relationships Between Essential Manganese Biology and Manganese Toxicity in Neurological Disease

  • Mechanisms of Toxicity (JR Richardson, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Manganese (Mn) is critical for neurodevelopment but also has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several neurological diseases. We discuss how Mn requirements intersect with Mn biology and toxicity, and how these requirements may be altered in neurological disease. Furthermore, we discuss the emerging evidence that the level of Mn associated with optimal overall efficiency for Mn biology does not necessarily coincide with optimal cognitive outcomes.

Recent Findings

Studies have linked Mn exposures with urea cycle metabolism and autophagy, with evidence that exposures typically neurotoxic may be able to correct deficiencies in these processes at least short term. The line between Mn-dependent biology and toxicity is thus blurred. Further, new work suggests that Mn exposures correlating to optimal cognitive scores in children are associated with cognitive decline in adults.

Summary

This review explores relationships between Mn-dependent neurobiology and Mn-dependent neurotoxicity. We propose the hypothesis that Mn levels/exposures that are toxic to some biological processes are beneficial for other biological processes and influenced by developmental stage and disease state.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Nashville, TN, USA

    Anna C. Pfalzer & Aaron B. Bowman

  2. Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Nashville, TN, USA

    Anna C. Pfalzer & Aaron B. Bowman

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Kennedy Center for Research and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

    Aaron B. Bowman

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  1. Anna C. Pfalzer
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Correspondence to Aaron B. Bowman.

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Anna C. Pfalzer and Aaron B. Bowman declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Mechanisms of Toxicity

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Pfalzer, A.C., Bowman, A.B. Relationships Between Essential Manganese Biology and Manganese Toxicity in Neurological Disease. Curr Envir Health Rpt 4, 223–228 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-017-0136-1

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