Rat brain endothelial cells are a target of manganese toxicity.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace metal; however, exposure to high Mn levels can result in neurodegenerative changes resembling Parkinson's disease (PD). Information on Mn's effects on endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is lacking. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that BBB endothelial cells are a primary target for Mn-induced neurotoxicity.