do Nascimento, José Luiz MOliveira, Karen Renata MCrespo-Lopez, Maria ElenaMacchi, Barbarella MMaués, Luís Antônio LPinheiro, Maria da Conceição NSilveira, Luiz Carlos LHerculano, Anderson Manoel2008-10-252009-05-272008-10-252009-05-272008-10-25do Nascimento JL, Oliveira KR, Crespo-Lopez ME, Macchi BM, Maués LA, Pinheiro Mda C, Silveira LC, Herculano AM. Methylmercury neurotoxicity & antioxidant defenses. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2008 Oct; 128(4): 373-82http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/1712493 references.Neurotoxicity induced by methylmercury (MeHg) increases the formation of reactive radicals and accelerates free radical reactions. This review summarizes recent findings in the MeHg-induced formation of free radicals and the role of oxidative stress in its neurotoxicity. Oxidative stress on CNS can produce damage by several interacting mechanisms, including mitochondrial damage with increase in intracellular free Ca(2+), activation and inhibition of enzymes, release of excitatory amino acids, metallothioneins expression, and microtubule disassembly. The nature of antioxidants is discussed and it is suggested that antioxidant enzymes and others antioxidants molecules may protect the central nervous system against neurotoxicity caused by MeHg.engAnimalsAntioxidants --metabolismHumansMethylmercury Compounds --toxicityNervous System --drug effectsOxidative StressJournal Article