Online

Engel, Gregory

Neuroscience Graduate Program

2012

PhD

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a ubiquitous environmental toxin. Exposure to MeHg in humans occurs primarily through the consumption of contaminated seafood. MeHg has been shown to act most strongly during neural development. Epidemiological data on the effect MeHg exposure through seafood has on children and fetuses is conflicted, with large cohort studies showing both presence and absence of MeHg-induced deficits in achieving developmental milestones. Because of this uncertainty in the literature it is important that we come to understand the mechanisms of MeHg toxicity so that we might advise the public more accurately on the risks of MeHg exposure.