Chronic low-level lead exposure: behavioral consequences, biological exposure indices and reversibility.
In accord with evidence from human studies, vulnerability of the rat to lead can be shown to extend to exposures initiated beyond the prenatal/neonatal stage of development. Chronic postweaning exposure to lead acetate in drinking water produces characteristic changes in learned behaviour maintained by food reward. These performance effects are related to both exposure concentration and duration. Correlations between biological exposure indices and behavioral changes may be improved by focusing on the maximal behavioral effect and the use of biological indices which reflect cumulative rather than recent exposure. Reversibility of lead-induced changes in behaviour depend upon exposure level; higher exposure level effects linger long after exposure ends despite marked reductions in brain lead.
Cory-Slechta
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Division of Toxicology, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY 14642.
D000818:Animals; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D012016:Reference Values; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology
D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C008261:lead acetate