Beethoven's Demise?

According to studies by U.S. researchers in Illinois, it is entirely possible that the famous composer Ludwig von Beethoven may have died of lead poisoning. I've often read stories or heard from past professors that Beethoven was the moody sort, but nobody really knew why. Seems that after his death Beethoven wanted researchers to study what ailed him so others would not have to go through the same thing. By the time he wrote his 9th Symphony, he was deaf. Read the article from World Science here.

Picture from wikipedia