Exposure to e-cigarette aerosol over two months induces accumulation of neurotoxic metals and alteration of essential metals in mouse brain.

The findings of this study suggest that chronic exposure to e-cigarette aerosol could lead to neurotoxic metal deposition and endogenous metal dyshomeostasis in the CNS. Specifically, the research found accumulation of metals such as chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb), which are known to be neurotoxic in mice. additionally, decreases in some essential metals were observed across the CNS. These findings raise concerns about the potential long-term neurotoxic and neurodegenerative risks for e-cigarette users and bystanders, and highlight the need for further investigation into the potential neurotoxic health effects of e-cigarette aerosol exposure. The research also suggests a link between e-cigarette-derived neurotoxic metals and adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases like alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, both of which are associated with profound metal dyshomeostasis and whose development may be accelerated by chronic exposure to such metals.

Re DB, hilpert M, Saglimbeni B, et al. Exposure to e-cigarette aerosol over two months induces accumulation of neurotoxic metals and alteration of essential metals in mouse brain. Environmental research. 2021;202:111557. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111557