Is tetraethyl lead poison affecting contemporary indigenous suicides in Ontario, Canada?

Highlights

•Lead (Pb) poison levels where high among the Indigenous population of Northwestern Ontario prior to the outbreak of a suicide epidemic in the area.

•Pb contributes to an overexpression of the amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) and amyloid-β (Aβ) which contribute to enhanced pathologic neurodegeneration.

•Pb causes a down-regulation (4-fold) of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B receptor (5-HT-1B).

•the 5-HT-1B receptors modulate drug pharmacodynamics, in addition to stress sensitivity, mood, anxiety, and aggression, all of which are associated with increased risk of suicide and suicidal ideation.

•Additional research into these relationships is warranted.