Project Summary (1995-2000)

The major purpose of these studies is to determine if lead (Pb) chelation with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) lessens the neurobehavioral deficits associated with Pb exposure in rodent models of both childhood and adult Pb exposure. To date, no research has provided the essential studies examining either the efficacy of DMSA in alleviating the neurobehavioral toxicity of Pb or the possible behavioral teratogenicity of DMSA itself. Investigators plan to euthanize separate groups of animals before and after the three DMSA regimens so that changes in the neurobehavioral measures can be correlated with changes in Pb level in both brain and blood. The focus of the present study is centered on DMSA alleviation of Pb-induced cognitive dysfunction, and the efficacy of this compound in alleviating the neurobehavioral toxicity arising from Pb exposure. This project also is coordinated with immunotoxicologic analysis in Project 3 of the Cornell SBREP.