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Cadmium, Lead, Thallium: Occurrence, Neurotoxicity and Histopathological Changes of the Nervous System

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Pollutant Diseases, Remediation and Recycling

Part of the book series: Environmental Chemistry for a Sustainable World ((ECSW,volume 4))

Abstract

Metals, particularly heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and thallium between others, constitute significant potential threats to human health in both occupational and environmental settings. Metals toxicity most commonly involves the kidney, liver and mainly nervous system. Neurons in general have a high metabolic rate, which makes them more susceptible to different heavy metals producing changes in neuronal function may lead to secondary alterations in neuronal anatomy. Neuropathology is frequently used to evaluate the effects of toxic agents on nervous system organization and cellular components; thus, careful histologic evaluations increase our knowledge of the neurotoxicity of heavy metals. Structural changes can often be correlated with altered neurochemistry, behavior, and electrophysiologic function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Manuel Velasco Suarez, Insurgentes Sur 3877, Tlalpan, C.P. 14269, Mexico

    Concepción Nava-Ruíz & Marisela Méndez-Armenta

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  1. Concepción Nava-Ruíz
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  2. Marisela Méndez-Armenta
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Correspondence to Marisela Méndez-Armenta .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. INRA, UMR1347 Agroécologie, Dijon, France

    Eric Lichtfouse

  2. Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of Petroleum and Coal, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Jan Schwarzbauer

  3. ICPEES, Université de Lorraine, Saint-Avold, France

    Didier Robert

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Nava-Ruíz, C., Méndez-Armenta, M. (2013). Cadmium, Lead, Thallium: Occurrence, Neurotoxicity and Histopathological Changes of the Nervous System. In: Lichtfouse, E., Schwarzbauer, J., Robert, D. (eds) Pollutant Diseases, Remediation and Recycling. Environmental Chemistry for a Sustainable World, vol 4. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02387-8_6

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