Occupational Exposure to Aluminum Particles and Alzheimer's Disease-Like Damage

Cohort studies have indicated that prolonged occupational exposure to aluminum causes cognitive impairment and neurotoxicity. Al is a widespread neurotoxin that can induce Aβ deposition and abnormal tau protein phosphorylation, leading to Alzheimer’s disease-like damage, such as reduced learning and memory and neuronal damage. For many years, Al has been implicated in the etiology of AD according to the so-called "Al in AD hypothesis", and researchers have described how it plays a role in the onset, progression, and aggressive nature of AD. The toxicity of Al is related to its prooxidant activity, which occurs through the formation of Al superoxide radical cations. However, although the role of Al in AD has become clearer, the dominant toxic mechanism involved is still not understood. In this mini-review, we investigated the effect of exposure to aluminum particles on phosphorylated tau levels and cognitive impairment.