This function thus identifies SLC39A8 as a candidate therapeutic target for the prevention/mitigation of brain Mn accumulation, such as for patients with genetic disorders that cause brain Mn accumulation (e.g., loss-of-function mutations in SLC30A10 (14, 15) or SLC39A14 (16)) or patients with chronic liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis) that can result in neurotoxic accumulation of brain Mn (58). Here, SLC39A8 is linked to hereditary disease.