Manganese neurotoxicity: nano-oxide compensates for ion-damage in mammals.

Here, we have compared the behavioral neurotoxicity of a manganese nanoformulation (citrate functionalized MnO nanoparticles; C-MnO NPs) with that of the well-known neurotoxicant, ionic Mn, in an animal model. We found that mice administered with C-MnO NPs showed no signs of a neurobehavioral disorder, but the NPs instead ameliorated Mn-induced neurotoxicity (Parkinson's-like syndrome) through the chelation of excess Mn ions and subsequent reduction of oxidative damage.