Lead link to Alzheimer's disease?

Jan 4, 2008

Lead poisoning in infancy may make Alzheimer's disease more likely decades later, a new study shows.

Lead poisoning is a well-known danger, especially for young children. Months or years of lead poisoning can stunt children's growth and damage their brain, kidneys, hearing, and mental development.

Early lead poisoning may also tinker with genes in a way that sets the stage for Alzheimer's disease as an adult, according to the new study, which is based on monkeys, not people.