ITHACA, N.Y. — Manganese is not a metal most people think much about. Unlike lead or mercury, it has a benign reputation. Small amounts of manganese power enzymes, metabolize nutrients, and keep the brain running smoothly. But it’s toxic to the brain in excess, producing tremors, muscle stiffness, and cognitive decline.

A new Cornell study offers fresh clues to how to remove manganese from the brain, identifying a protein that’s critical in flushing it out. The finding could have major implications for welders, miners, and people living near industrial sites, as well as people with rare genetic mutations that disrupt how the body handles the metal.

“The brain has ways to protect itself from toxic buildup, but we haven’t fully understood how that works,” said Tolunay Beker Aydemir, assistant professor of molecular nutrition in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell. “Our study identifies a protein that helps clear excess manganese, which is critical because too much of this metal can damage the brain.”

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