Superfund Research Program
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Cadmium Neurotoxicity
Project Leader: Zhengui Xia
Co-Investigators: Daniel Storm, Evan P. Gallagher
Grant Number: P42ES004696
Funding Period: 2015-2023
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Cadmium Exposure Impairs Production of Neurons Responsible for Learning and Memory
Research Brief - January 2020
A new study funded by the Superfund Research Program (SRP) shows cadmium exposure can impair new neurons from forming and maturing in the hippocampus region of the brain. Led by Zhengui Xia, Ph.D., the researchers at the University of Washington (UW) SRP Center also found that cadmium can lead to the death of stem cells that produce these neurons. In people, learning and memory formation depends on the production of new neurons in this region of the brain.