Manganese (Mn) exposure is related to industrial activities, where absorption by inhalation has high relevance. Manganism, a syndrome caused as a result of excessive accumulation of Mn in the central nervous system, has numerous symptoms similar to those seen in idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD). Some of these symptoms, such as learning, memory, sensorial, and neurochemical changes, appear before the onset of motor deficits in both manganism and IPD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible neuroprotective effects of curcumin against behavioral deficits induced by Mn toxicity in young (2 months old) Swiss mice. We evaluated the effect of chronic inhalation of a Mn mixture [Mn(OAc)(3) and MnCl2 (20:40 mM)], 1 h/session, three times a week, over a 14-week period on behavioral and neurochemical parameters. Curcumin was supplemented in the diet (500 or 1,500 ppm in food pellets). The Mn disrupted the motor performance evaluated in the single-pellet reach task, as well as the short- and long-term spatial memory evaluated in the step-down inhibitory avoidance task. Surprisingly, curcumin also produced similar deleterious effects in such behavioral tests. Moreover, the association of Mn plus curcumin significantly increased the levels of Mn and iron, and decreased the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the hippocampus. These alterations were not observed in the striatum. In conclusion, the current Mn treatment protocol resulted in mild deficits in motor and memory functions, resembling the early phases of IPD. Additionally, curcumin showed no beneficial effects against Mn-induced disruption of hippocampal metal and neurotransmitter homeostasis.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FINEP Research Grant Rede Instituto Brasileiro de Neurociencia (IBN-Net)INCT-Excitotoxicity and NeuroprotectionFAPESC (Foundation for the Support of Scientific and Technological Research in the State of Santa Catarina)Univ Fed Santa Catarina, Dept Biochem, Ctr Biol Sci, BR-88040900 Florianopolis, SC, BrazilUniv Fed Santa Catarina, Dept Pharmacol, BR-88040900 Florianopolis, SC, BrazilUniv Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Dept Chem & Environm Sci, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Plymouth, Sch Geog Earth & Environm Sci, Plymouth PL4 8AA, Devon, EnglandUniv Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Dept Chem & Environm Sci, Sao Paulo, BrazilFINEP Research Grant Rede Instituto Brasileiro de Neurociencia (IBN-Net)01.06.0842-00