Arsenic is a metalloid found in groundwater as a byproduct of soil/rock erosion and industrial and agricultural processes. This xenobiotic elicits its toxicity through different mechanisms, and it has been identified as a toxicant that affects virtually every organ or tissue in the body. In the central nervous system, exposure to arsenic can induce cognitive dysfunction. Furthermore, iAs has been linked to several neurological disorders, including neurodevelopmental alterations, and is considered a risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders. However, the exact mechanisms involved are still unclear. In this review, we aim to appraise the neurotoxic effects of arsenic and the molecular mechanisms involved. First, we discuss the epidemiological studies reporting on the effects of arsenic in intellectual and cognitive function during development as well as studies showing the correlation between arsenic exposure and altered cognition and mental health in adults. The neurotoxic effects of arsenic and the potential mechanisms associated with neurodegeneration are also reviewed including data from experimental models supporting epidemiological evidence of arsenic as a neurotoxicant. Next, we focused on recent literature regarding arsenic metabolism and the molecular mechanisms that begin to explain how arsenic damages the central nervous system including, oxidative stress, energy failure and mitochondrial dysfunction, epigenetics, alterations in neurotransmitter homeostasis and synaptic transmission, cell death pathways, and inflammation. Outlining the specific mechanisms by which arsenic alters the cell function is key to understand the neurotoxic effects that convey cognitive dysfunction, neurodevelopmental alterations, and neurodegenerative disorders.

中文翻译：

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砷引起的神经毒性：一种机械评估。

砷是地下水中的一种准金属，是土壤/岩石侵蚀以及工业和农业过程的副产品。这种异源生物通过不同的机理引起毒性，并且已被确定为实际上影响人体每个器官或组织的有毒物质。在中枢神经系统中，接触砷会诱发认知功能障碍。此外，iAs已与多种神经系统疾病（包括神经发育改变）相关联，被认为是神经退行性疾病的危险因素。但是，所涉及的确切机制仍不清楚。在这篇综述中，我们旨在评估砷的神经毒性作用及其涉及的分子机制。首先，我们讨论了流行病学研究，报告了砷在发育过程中对智力和认知功能的影响，以及研究表明砷暴露与成人认知改变和心理健康之间的相关性。还综述了砷的神经毒性作用以及与神经退行性疾病相关的潜在机制，包括来自支持流行病学证据证明砷为神经毒性的实验模型的数据。下一个，我们专注于有关砷代谢的最新文献以及开始解释砷如何损害中枢神经系统的分子机制，包括氧化应激，能量衰竭和线粒体功能障碍，表观遗传学，神经递质稳态和突触传递的改变，细胞死亡途径和炎症。概述砷改变细胞功能的具体机制是理解传达认知功能障碍，神经发育改变和神经退行性疾病的神经毒性作用的关键。细胞死亡途径和炎症。概述砷改变细胞功能的具体机制是理解传达认知功能障碍，神经发育改变和神经退行性疾病的神经毒性作用的关键。细胞死亡途径和炎症。概述砷改变细胞功能的具体机制是理解传达认知功能障碍，神经发育改变和神经退行性疾病的神经毒性作用的关键。