(Bio)analytical approaches for investigating the role of selenium in preventing neurological disorders and neurotoxicity induced by environmental neurotoxicants: As, Cd, and Hg

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that dysfunction of essential metal (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn) homeostasis can lead to the appearance of several NDs. Other neurotoxic environmental metal/metalloids such as As, Cd and Hg contribute to neurological diseases by interacting with neurotransmitter receptors and protein binding sites of essential elements. Analytical chemists do not remain indifferent to the impact of neurological diseases. The development of analytical techniques to evaluate the role of endogenous and exogenous metals metals/metalloids in the development of neurogenerative diseases has increased in the last few years. This review summarizes the state of the art of the (bio)analytical techniques most applied together with in vitro models to evaluate the role of elements associated with neurological disorders with special emphasis on the role of selenium in neurodegeneration and in preventing the neurotoxic effects produced by environmental neurotoxins, in particular Cd, Hg and As.