serum neuron-specific enolase, biogenic amino-acids and neurobehavioral function in lead-exposed workers from lead-acid battery manufacturing process

background: the interaction between serum neuron-specific enolase (nse), biogenic amino-acids and neurobehavioral function with blood lead levels in workers exposed to lead form lead-acid battery manufacturing process was not studied. objective: to evaluate serum nse and biogenic amino-acids (dopamine and serotonin) levels, and neurobehavioral performance among workers exposed to lead from lead-acid storage battery plant, and its relation with blood lead levels (blls). methods: in a cross-sectional study, we performed biochemical and neurobehavioral function tests on 146 workers exposed to lead from lead-acid battery manufacturing process. blls were assessed by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. serum nse, dopamine and serotonin were measured by elisa. neurobehavioral functions were assessed by cdc-recommended tests—simple reaction time (srt), symbol digit substitution test (sdst), and serial digit learning test (sdlt). results: there was a significant correlation (r 0.199, p<0.05) between sdst and bll. sdlt and srt had also a significant positive correlation (r 0.238, p<0.01). nse had a negative correlation (r –0.194, p<0.05) with serotonin level. multiple linear regression analysis revealed that both srt and sdst had positive significant associations with bll. srt also had a positive significant association with age. conclusion: serum nse cannot be used as a marker for bll. the only domain of neurobehavioral function tests that is affected by increased bll in workers of lead-acid battery manufacturing process is that of the “attention and perception” (sdst).