How long-term manganese exposure harms the brain
Mechanisms of Manganese Neurotoxicity
This work looks at how long-term, low-level manganese exposure changes brain cell signaling and may lead to neurological problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239782 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view, the researchers are trying to understand how chronic, low-level manganese exposure affects brain cells over months to years. They use lab-grown brain cells and tiny roundworms (C. elegans) to mimic long-term exposure and watch changes in key signaling systems such as insulin/IGF, mTOR/AKT, ATM/p53, eIF2, and Sirtuins. The team will also examine how genetics, age, and sex change these responses to find who may be most vulnerable. The goal is to reveal biological steps that could be targeted to prevent or treat manganese-related brain problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a history of chronic or occupational manganese exposure or those with unexplained movement or cognitive changes possibly linked to metal exposure would be the most relevant for related future studies.
Not a fit: Patients whose neurological problems are clearly caused by unrelated conditions (for example, genetic neurodegenerative diseases with no link to manganese) are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify biological pathways to prevent or treat long-term manganese-related brain damage.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown manganese can disrupt insulin/mTOR/AKT signaling and support parts of this mechanism, while applying a chronic low-level exposure model and studying eIF2 and Sirtuin roles is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
West Lafayette, United States
- Purdue University — West Lafayette, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bowman, Aaron B — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Bowman, Aaron B
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.