Ricerc@Sapienza

Manganese (Mn), one of the most abundant elements on the
earth,1 is essential to human health2 and its over-exposure is considered a risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders such as
Parkinson’s disease3. High Mn concentration in water and food
represents contamination sources for the population.4 Among
additional source is gasoline combustion that releases Mn particles within the respirable size range5 for the presence of MMT, an
organic Mn-containing fuel additive.
Despite evidence of structural and functional damage of the CNS
induced by Mn-based compounds, behavioural effects of chronic
exposure to sub-lethal MMT are still limited. We used the
zebrafish (Danio rerio), a toxicology and behavioral study
model,6 and the Y-Maze task7 to test the hypothesis that embryo
exposure to 100 mM MMT (corresponding to 20 µM Mn2+, that
reflects the exposure of individuals in highly polluted cities8) may
affect fish behaviour. Results show alterations in detectable
behavioral traits in larvae and cognitive impairments in exploration, orientation and spatial memory in 5 month old specimens.
1. Siegel A et al. CRC Press, 2000, p 816.
2. Aschner M et al. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2007, 221:131–147.
3. Schapira AH Trends Pharmacol Sci 2009, 30:41-7.
4. Oulhote Y et al. Environ Health Perspect 2014, 122:1343-50.
5. Frumkin H et al. Am J Ind Med 1997, 31:107-15.
6. Green AJ et al. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2017,
S1532.
7. Cognato Gde P et al. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2012, 98:231-328.
8. Joselow MM et al. Am J Public Health 1978, 68:557–560.