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lead exposure

·February 22, 2026·6 min read

Prenatal Lead Exposure Affects the Aging Brain

A biological time capsule reveals a 60-year secret. Scientists find that lead exposure in the womb can act as a "cognitive accelerator," adding years to the aging brain.

This image illustrates how lead can migrate from bones to neurons, increasing Alzheimer's risk.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·February 12, 2026·8 min read

Lifetime Lead Exposure Triples Alzheimer’s Risk

Think lead is a problem of the past? New research shows that lead stored in your bones for decades could triple your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. By tracking thousands of adults, scientists have discovered that historical exposure to leaded gas and paint is a "silent" driver of nearly 1 in 5 dementia cases.

This shows the outline of a woman's head

Featured Neuroscience

·March 7, 2022·5 min read

Lead Exposure in Last Century Shrunk IQ Scores of Half of Americans

Early-life exposure to car exhaust from leaded gas reduced the IQ of around 170 million Americans, a new study reports.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 30, 2021·3 min read

Lead Exposure During Childhood May Influence Adult Personality, and Not for the Better

The effects of lead exposure on overall health have been well document, but a new study reveals early exposure to pollution can have a detrimental effect on personality. Researchers report those who were born following the decline of environmental lead levels had more mature personalities and were more conscientious and less had lower levels of neuroticism than those born in generation with higher lead levels.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 12, 2021·3 min read

Childhood Lead Exposure May Adversely Affect Adults’ Personalities

Early-life exposure to atmospheric lead was associated with less mature and less healthy personality traits in adults.

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·November 17, 2020·6 min read

Childhood Lead Exposure Leads to Structural Changes in Middle-Aged Brains

Elevated levels of lead in the blood of children was associated with structural changes in the brain during mid-life. Those with higher levels of lead exposure as children had decreased hippocampal volume and structural deficits in white-matter integrity.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 13, 2020·4 min read

Effects of Low-Level Lead Exposure and Alcohol Consumption Examined

Low-level exposure to lead during development does not lead to alcohol use disorder, but does alter the neural circuits in a way that if addiction occurs, it makes it harder to refrain from returning to addiction related behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 13, 2020·4 min read

Risk of lead exposure linked to decreased brain volume in adolescents

Children raised in areas with a high risk of lead exposure have decreased brain volume and problems with cognitive performance.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·December 19, 2019·4 min read

Is there a link between lifetime lead exposure and dementia?

A new hypothesis suggests declining rates of dementia could be a result of generational differences in lifetime exposure to lead.

This shows a boy and girl walking in a field

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 10, 2019·5 min read

Higher lead in topsoil boosts probability of cognitive difficulties in 5-year-old boys

Higher levels of lead in topsoil have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive impairments, learning difficulties, and problems with decision making in 5-year-old boys.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 23, 2019·7 min read

Childhood Lead Exposure Linked to Poor Adult Mental Health

A new study reveals lead exposure during childhood can significantly impact mental health and personality traits later in life. Researchers found exposure to leaded gasoline prior to the 1990s was linked to increased psychiatric symptoms experienced by adults.