Prenatal lead levels, plasma amyloid β levels, and gene expression in young adulthood.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Animal studies suggest that early-life lead exposure influences gene expression and production of proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objectives

We attempted to assess the relationship between early-life lead exposure and potential biomarkers for AD among young men and women. We also attempted to assess whether early-life lead exposure was associated with changes in expression of AD-related genes.

Methods

We used sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to measure plasma concentrations of amyloid β proteins Aβ40 and Aβ42 among 55 adults who had participated as newborns and young children in a prospective cohort study of the effects of lead exposure on development. We used RNA microarray techniques to analyze gene expression.

Res

SUBMITTER: Mazumdar M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3346789 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature