Mercury-induced toxicity of rat cortical neurons is mediated through N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptors
Date
2012-09-14
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central Ltd.
Abstract
Mercury is a well-known neurotoxin implicated in a wide range of neurological or psychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, depression, mood disorders and tremor. Mercury-induced neuronal degeneration is thought to invoke glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we examine the effects of various mercury concentrations (including pathological levels present in human plasma or cerebrospinal fluid) on cultured, rat cortical neurons.