Comprehensive Review Regarding Mercury Poisoning and Its Complex Involvement in Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is considered one of the most widespread toxic environmental pollutants, which seems to have multiple effects on organisms even at low concentrations. It has a critical role in many health problems with harmful consequences, with Hg primarily targeting the brain and its components, such as the central nervous system (CNS). Hg exposure was associated with numerous CNS disorders that frequently trigger Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Patients with AD have higher concentrations of Hg in blood and brain tissue. This paper aims to emphasize a correlation between Hg and AD based on the known literature in the occupational field. The outcome shows that all these concerning elements could get attributed to Hg. However, recent studies did not investigate the molecular level of Hg exposure in AD. The present review highlights the interactions between Hg and AD in neuronal degenerations, apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress (OS), mitochondrial malfunctions, gastrointestinal (GI) microflora, infertility and altering gene expression.

Zebrafish as a Potential Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Focus on Toxic Metals Implications

“…Among the symptoms of this disorder are defective motor functions, the uncontrollable motion of arms and legs, flawed verbalisation, and impaired hearing and vision. This ecological disaster prompted governments from 128 countries to sign the Minamata Convention in 2013, to create a legislative precedent in safeguarding the environment and human health against irresponsible industrial chemical disposal of Hg and Hg compounds [ 47 ].…”

“…Worldwide, the predominance of neurodegenerative diseases is constantly increasing [ 32 , 73 ]. AD, which was discovered for the first time in 1907 [ 16 ], is the most common form of dementia in the elderly [ 47 , 55 , 74 ]. Changes in AD patient pathology are expressed by massive neuronal loss and impaired synaptic processes in the cerebral cortex, especially in the temporal and frontal lobes and hippocampus [ 75 , 76 ].…”

Association of mercury exposure with the serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level in Korean adults

“…Hg is considered to be one of the most widespread toxic environmental pollutants, and exposure to Hg can occur from both natural and artificial sources ( 22 ). Humans are exposed to Hg through several sources including environmental pollutants, contaminated seafood, metallic Hg-containing dental amalgam, and ethyl-Hg-containing vaccines ( 23 , 24 ).…”

Total Hg level in hair, its predictors and relationship with health risk of Chelyabinsk residents

“…Mercury is currently considered a pollutant with a high human health risk and it has high toxicity and mobility in ecosystems. According to the literature, there are more than 250 symptoms associated with Hg exposure, which can make an accurate diagnosis difficult (Paduraru et al, 2022). The values of cardiometabolic risk factors of health (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose) indicated a statistically significant dependency on T-Hg in hair.…”