Cognitive deficits and magnetic resonance spectroscopy in adult monozygotic twins with lead poisoning.

Abstract

Seventy-one-year-old identical twin brothers with chronic lead poisoning were identified from an occupational medicine clinic roster. Both were retired painters, but one brother (J.G.) primarily removed paint and had a history of higher chronic lead exposure. Patella and tibia bone lead concentrations measured by K-X-ray fluorescence in each brother were 5-10 times those of the general population and about 2.5 times higher in J.G. than in his brother (E.G.). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies examined N-acetylaspartate:creatine ratios, a marker of neuronal density. Ratios were lower in J.G. than in his brother. Scores on neurocognitive tests that assess working memory/executive function were below expectation in both twins. Short-term memory function was dramatically worse in J.G. than in his brother. These results demonstrate some of the more subtle long-term neurologic effects of chronic lead poisoning in adults. In particular, they suggest the presence of frontal lobe dysfunction in both twins, but more dramatic hippocampal dysfunction in the brother with higher lead exposure. The MRS findings are consistent with the hypothesis that chronic lead exposure caused neuronal loss, which may contribute to the impairment in cognitive function. Although a causal relation cannot be inferred, the brothers were genetically identical, with similar life experiences. Although these results are promising, further study is necessary to determine whether MRS findings correlate both with markers of lead exposure and tests of cognitive function. Nevertheless, the results point to the potential utility of MRS in determining mechanisms of neurotoxicity not only for lead but also for other neurotoxicants as well.

Childhood Lead Exposure in the British Isles during the Industrial Revolution

“…Chronic, long-term exposure to lead may cause gastrointestinal irritation ('dry bellyache'), reduced libido and infertility, anorexia, anaemia, blue-lines on the gummargins, peripheral neuropathy (wrist-drop), convulsions and encephalopathy (i.e. neural dysfunction) including impairment of visuospatial/visual motor functioning, short-term memory loss, and confusion and fatigue (Patrick 2006;Weisskopf et al 2004). It has also been associated with gout due to impairment of the renal system (Matte et al 1992).…”

Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Evidence of Glial Effects of Cumulative Lead Exposure in the Adult Human Hippocampus

“…Differences from our current findings could be related to the age or exposure level differences from these previous studies. The only study in adults examined monozygotic twin brothers with markedly different lead levels-both blood and bonealthough they were dramatically elevated in both twins as a result of occupational exposure (Weisskopf et al 2004a). The NAA/Cr ratio in the hippocampus was found to be lower in the twin with the higher lead levels.…”

Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Evidence of Glial Effects of Cumulative Lead Exposure in the Adult Human Hippocampus

“…Differences from our current findings could be related to the age or exposure level differences from these previous studies. The only study in adults examined monozygotic twin brothers with markedly different lead levels—both blood and bone—although they were dramatically elevated in both twins as a result of occupational exposure (Weisskopf et al 2004a). The NAA/Cr ratio in the hippocampus was found to be lower in the twin with the higher lead levels.…”