Manganese deposits in the brain have been described within the basal ganglia of the brain,the cortex and the medulla. Manganese can reduce dopamine in the caudate nucleus, norepinephrine in the hypothalamus, and neuromelanin in the substantia nigra. It appears that manganese may increase dopamine oxidation with associated free radical formation.
H C Ferro Manganese
Some preliminary magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown that manganese accumulates in the globus pallidus. Manganese causes neuronal loss and gliosis in the striatum, subthalamic nucleus, and pallidum, but little change in the substantia nigra.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scans of two welders showed abnormalities typical of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The authors concluded that parkinsonism in welders cannot be distinguished from idiopathic Parkinson's disease, except by early age of onset.
