Effects of low-level lead exposure and alcohol consumption

Date:
October 13, 2020
Source:
Indiana University
Summary:
A new study examining effects of low-level developmental lead
exposure in mice could explain why some people dependent on alcohol
return to using.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A new IU study examining effects of low-level developmental lead
exposure in mice could explain why some people dependent on alcohol
return to using.


==========================================================================
The study, published in Neuropharmacology, looked at whether developmental
lead exposure can increase the propensity to relapse to alcohol
consumption in mice.

The researchers also looked at the effects on the expression of
synaptic and non-synaptic glutamate transporters -- regulators of brain motivation and reinforcing circuits -- in brain regions associated with
drug addiction.

"Our data in mice suggests that early life, low-level lead exposure does
not lead to the development of an alcohol use disorder in adults per
se," said Stephen Boehm, professor in the Department of Psychology at
IUPUI. "However, it does alter brain circuits in such a way that once a dependency is developed, it makes it harder to refrain from turning back
to alcohol." Although there have been efforts to reduce environmental
exposure to lead and to prevent lead poisoning, Boehm said exposure
still exists and can cause serious harm and significant health problems,
even at low levels. Studies of adults with a history of childhood lead
exposure have consistently demonstrated cognitive impairments associated
with sustained glutamate signaling.

Boehm and his team studied whether developmental lead exposure
increased motivation to consume alcohol by testing mice in an alcohol self-administration paradigm.

The study suggests that low-level lead exposure for humans during
childhood and adolescence -- so low that kids growing up in old industrial cities might be exposed by merely kicking up dirt during normal play --
may be sufficient to enhance relapse to alcohol use in adults struggling
with alcohol use disorder.

Their study also suggests that reduced expression of proteins responsible
for taking up the neurotransmitter glutamate in dorsolateral striatum --
a brain region believed to be involved in the development of compulsive
drug taking - - may be associated with this effect. Glutamate is a key
player in the executive control of dorsolateral striatal function. So, dysfunction in glutamate signaling may well have implications for the development of compulsive drinking (characteristic of individuals with
alcohol use disorder).

Boehm said future work is needed, but the current project demonstrates
the need for additional policies around environmental lead exposure.

"This study not only gives us further insight into addiction and the
brain, but it might also lead to a call for changes in policies around
lead exposure that could help keep our children safe."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Indiana_University. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Claudia Rangel-Barajas, Israel Coronel, Yanping Zhang, Maribel
Herna'ndez, Stephen L. Boehm II. Low-level developmental
lead exposure does not predispose to adult alcohol
self-administration, but does increase the risk of relapsing
to alcohol seeking in mice: Contrasting role of GLT1 and xCT
brain expression. Neuropharmacology, 2020; 181: 108339 DOI:
10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108339 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201013124203.htm

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