Lead poisoning is known to cause damage to the brain resulting in attention and behavior problems along with reading difficulties, academic struggles, and delinquency. There is growing evidence that lead-related neurobehavioral deficits are present at lower levels of exposure causing an even greater need for suitable interventions to rebuild cognitive functioning.

Approximately 5% of children have lead poisoning with the majority of instances coming from low income, urban areas. Studies have shown that lead poisoned children are at greater risk for behavior problems, mental retardation, learning disabilities, or a speech and language impairment. Specifically, recent research showed that adults who suffered lead poisoning as children demonstrated decreases in activity of several circuits of the brain important to working memory. It is clear that working memory is affected by lead poisoning and may be a main contributor to the many difficulties experienced by those with a history of lead-poisoning. Researchers are hoping to improve cognitive deficits and resulting symptoms in lead exposed children by using Cogmed training. This the first non-pharmacological intervention that is being considered to curb the debilitating effects of lead exposure.