Neurological Effects of Dental Mercury Exposure

Dental mercury exposure has significant neurological implications, as highlighted by multiple studies. Research from the University of Calgary demonstrates how mercury can physically destroy brain cells, initiating a cascade of neurodegenerative changes. This destruction is linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, where mercury is shown to cause the biochemical hallmarks of the disease, and Apolipoprotein E genotyping is emerging as a potential biomarker for assessing mercury’s neurotoxic effects. Furthermore, evidence suggests that mercury may contribute to the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly in cases like monozygotic twins discordant for MS, where mercury amalgam fillings are implicated. The role of mercury in Parkinson’s disease also underscores the metal’s ability to disrupt biochemical processes critical to neurological health, suggesting a broader impact of mercury on neurodegenerative diseases. These findings challenge the safety of dental amalgams, advocating for a more integrated toxicological approach to understanding and mitigating mercury’s impact on the brain.