Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the common types of neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive dysfunctions, motor abnormalities, and inability to carry out daily activities. Globally, more than 56 million people are living with AD. Numerous factors, including accumulated amyloid-beta, neurofibrillary tangle formation, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunctions, are leading causes of AD. In the last few decades, it has been noticed that various heavy metals like aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) can accumulate in the brain over time, disrupting normal cellular functions and promoting oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuronal damage. These heavy metals are also responsible for the aggregation of amyloid-beta, and neurofibrillary tangles. Among these heavy metals, Al is used in preclinical studies to induce AD in rodents. It causes neuronal cell death by increasing levels of amyloid-beta, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Moreover, mercury and cadmium both came under the category of potential neurotoxins and can enhance oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus parts of the brain. Furthermore, these heavy metals can disrupt essential metal ion regulation, such as copper and zinc, which are vital for normal brain function. In the present review, we have discussed the role of various heavy materials in AD progression. We have also mentioned numerous case studies highlighting the neurotoxic effects of heavy metals on the brain.
Elsevier, Heavy Metal Toxicity and Neurodegeneration, 2025, pp 225-230
