Evaluation of the Effects of Chronic Intoxication with Inorganic Mercury on Memory and Motor Control in Rats

• Main Authors: Francisco B. Teixeira, Rafael M. Fernandes, Paulo M. A. Farias-Junior, Natacha M. M. Costa, Luanna M. P. Fernandes, Luana N. S. Santana, Ademir F. Silva-Junior, Marcia C. F. Silva, Cristiane S. F. Maia, Rafael R. Lima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2014-09-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: mercury; mercury chloride; toxicology
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/11/9/9171

The aims of this study were to evaluate whether chronic intoxication with mercury chloride (HgCl2), in a low concentration over a long time, can be deposited in the central nervous tissue and to determine if this exposure induces motor and cognitive impairments. Twenty animals were intoxicated for 45 days at a dose of 0.375 mg/kg/day. After this period, the animals underwent a battery of behavioral tests, in a sequence of open field, social recognition, elevated T maze and rotarod tests. They were then sacrificed, their brains collected and the motor cortex and hippocampus dissected for quantification of mercury deposited. This study demonstrates that long-term chronic HgCl2 intoxication in rats promotes functional damage. Exposure to HgCl2 induced anxiety-related responses, short- and long-term memory impairments and motor deficits. Additionally, HgCl2 accumulated in both the hippocampus and cortex of the brain with a higher affinity for the cortex.