The Mechanism of Manganese Induced Learning Disability

To determine the mechanism by which manganese induces learning defect in human and animals, we carried out an experimental study using two months old female rats which were exposed daily 357 g of manganese for 30 days. Manganese induced a significant increase in the cholesterol of blood and brain tissues. An obvious elevation in hippocampal cholesterol was associated with an impaired learning in rats exposed to manganese. Preventing the cholesterol biosynthesis with a drug which inhibits the biosynthesis of cholesterol, the manganese induced learning disability corrected completely. This correction led us to conclude that manganese by increasing hippocampal cholesterol levels impairs learning ability.