Manganese exposure and brain changes in welders
Neuroimaging of Manganese Toxicity
Researchers are measuring how inhaled manganese from welding builds up and clears in the brain and how that links to mood, thinking, and movement in welders.
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-11283935 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
They will use advanced MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy to create whole-brain maps of manganese and to measure markers of oxidative stress (glutathione) and the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Participants, mainly welders with varying exposure histories, will have clinical tests of mood, cognition, and motor function alongside the brain scans. Some participants will be followed over time to see how manganese uptake and elimination differ across brain regions. The team will also examine whether manganese spreads along white-matter tracts and whether imaging findings match reported symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are welders or other workers with occupational manganese exposure who can undergo MRI/MRS scans and clinical testing.
Not a fit: People without occupational manganese exposure or those who cannot have MRI (for example because of incompatible implants or severe claustrophobia) are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help detect early brain changes from manganese exposure and guide monitoring or protective steps for welders' brain health.
How similar studies have performed: Animal and cell studies support manganese-related oxidative stress, but human whole-brain imaging that links manganese levels, oxidative stress markers, and symptoms is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
West Lafayette, United States
- Purdue University — West Lafayette, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dydak, Ulrike — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Dydak, Ulrike
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.