EFFECT OF LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF AN ORGANIC LEAD COMPOUND ON THE TRANSPORT AND RELEASE OF PUTATIVE NEUROTRANSMITTERS

Tri-n-butyl lead acetate at concentrations of 5.10-5-10-7 M was effective in inhibiting high affinity uptake and in stimulating release of accumulated radioactive putative neurotransmitters by mouse brain homogenates. Mercurycontaining compounds and lead acetate were much less potent in inhibiting such transport and stimulating release. It is suggested that the neurotoxicity of organic lead compounds is, in part, related to effects on neurotransmission and that dopaminergic synapses are especially susceptible to such toxicity. © 1979.