ABSTRACT
All sources of environmental mercury represent a risk to human health as its conversion by microorganisms in waterways results in MeHg accumulation in the food chain. Excessive MeHg ingestion from a diet high in fish is associated with neurological dysfunction.1-3 More recent studies in human populations are in agreement with the earlier findings that maternal mercury exposure during pregnancy is related to neurological as well as neuropsychological deficits in the offspring noticeable at 6 to 7 years of age.4-6 Another recent report points to the detrimental effects of MeHg on neurogenesis.7 However, in spite of all these findings, the issue remains far from settled as indicated by other studies8-10 where no definitive linkage was found between MeHg and neurodevelopmental deficits in children at 66 months of age. Thus, there remains a need to understand the mechanisms and consequences of MeHg exposure on CNS function.
