Taurine Recovery of Learning Deficits Induced by Developmental Pb Exposure.

Lead (Pb) is a historically well-documented environmental neurotoxin that produces developmental cognitive learning and memory impairments. These early neurodevelopmental impairments cause increased brain excitability via disruption of Ca mediated signaling during critical periods of synaptogenesis inducing competition with I through NMDAs resulting in altered brain development and functioning across the lifespan. Interestingly, Pb has been shown to decrease GABA transport and uptake, decrease spontaneous and depolarization-evoked GABA neurotransmission and lower the expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD); thereby, limiting excitatory GABAergic influences that regulate early developmental brain excitability and reducing inhibition across mature GABAergic networks.