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C23 - Low-level Adolescent Lead Exposure Effect on Alcohol-drinking and Punishment Resistance in C57BL/6J Mice
Lead has been utilized for thousands of years for various uses, ranging from increasing the durability of paint to allowing gasoline to reduce exhaust valve wear and strain in cars. Although this versatility comes at a price, modern studies have shown that any level of lead exposure can have devastating effects on human health.
C23 - Low-level Adolescent Lead Exposure Effect on Alcohol-drinking and Punishment Resistance in C57BL/6J Mice
Mentor: Anna Radke, Ph.D.
Lead has been utilized for thousands of years for various uses, ranging from increasing the durability of paint to allowing gasoline to reduce exhaust valve wear and strain in cars. Although this versatility comes at a price, modern studies have shown that any level of lead exposure can have devastating effects on human health. Lead has been shown to circulate through the brain, liver, kidneys, and bones, and is stored in the teeth and bones (WHO, 2024). Environments that may be contaminated with lead include older infrastructure, especially in impoverished areas, contaminated soils and dust particles, and contaminated water sources (Hauptman et al., 2023; WHO, 2024). Over time, lead accumulates in the teeth and bones and can serve as a point of transfer from a pregnant mother to the fetus (WHO, 2024). Children are at the biggest risk of long-term effects of lead exposure, as their central nervous systems are still developing and are at risk of permanent cognitive damage. A multitude of studies have determined that there is an association between lead exposure and negative effects on human health, including kidney, dental, and gingival diseases, and behavioral disorders like ADHD (Olufemi, Mji, & Mukhola, 2022).