Cited by 7Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicalsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchMemory and Neural Mechanisms

Enriched environment rescues bisphenol A induced anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment by modulating synaptic plasticity

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Li, Jiong, Yu, Guangyin, Wang, Laijian, Zhang, Wenjun, Ke, Wenya, Li, Yifei, Liu, Danlei, Xie, Keman +4 more·2025·Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an exogenous endocrine disruptor in the environmental context, garnering attention for its harmful effects on the nervous system function and behavior. Research indicates that being exposed to BPA may result in anxiety-like behavior and impairment in cognitive function. Enriched environment (EE) is beneficial to improve cognitive behavior, but whether EE can improve BPA-induced behavioral impairment is still unclear. This research explored the possible pathways through which EE alleviates anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment in mice exposed to BPA. Except for the control mice, all mice received BPA treatment. After BPA treatment, some mice were housed normally, some housed with EE, and some were given NMDA and AMPA receptor agonists. Our research revealed that exposure to BPA results in anxiety-like behavior in open field and elevated-plus maze experiments. Additionally, spatial and learning memory cognitive impairments were observed in Y-maze and water maze tests. Furthermore, exposure to BPA led to a decrease in both the density and maturity of dendritic spines, as well as a reduction in neurite length and branch numbers. PSD-95, GluA1, and NR2A expression were down-regulated, and excitatory synaptic transmission was decreased. However, EE treatment increased dendrite spine density and maturity, up-regulated PSD-95, GluA1and NR2A expression, enhanced excitatory synaptic transmission, and relieved anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment in BPA mice. Furthermore, administering NMDA or AMPA receptor agonists to BPA mice led to an increase in dendritic spine density and maturity, a rise in mEPSC amplitude, as well as a restoration of anxiety-like behavior and cognitive deficits induced by BPA. The findings of this study provide proof that EE has a neuroprotective effect in reducing anxiety-related behavior and cognitive decline caused by BPA.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117427

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  • Cites a retracted work: 10.1089/neu.2011.1842

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    The cited work was retracted on 2015-05-27 (notice 10.1089/neu.2015.28999.retractions), before this paper was published (2025-01). Its authors could have known.

    Cited work 10.1089/neu.2011.1842 · retracted 2015-05-27 · notice 10.1089/neu.2015.28999.retractions · this paper published 2025-01

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Authors
Li, J., Yu, G., Wang, L., Zhang, W., Ke, W., Li, Y., Liu, D., Xie, K., Xu, Y., Cha, C., Guo, G., & Zhang, J.
Affiliations
  • Jinan University (CN)
  • Guangzhou Women and Children Medical Center (CN)
Corresponding author
Zhang, Jifeng
Venue
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-01
Volume
289
Pages
117427
ISSN
0147-6513 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4404952351
Cited by
7
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5
FWCI
1.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (2021A1515011134)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (82101438, 81771144)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Keywords
bisphenol A, environmental enrichment, anxiety-like behavior, cognitive impairment, synaptic plasticity, dendritic spines, excitatory synaptic transmission, NMDA receptor, AMPA receptors, PSD-95, GluR1, NR2A, endocrine disruptors, neuroprotection, learning and memory
MeSH terms
Bisphenol A Compounds, Animals, Anxiety, Behavior, Animal, Benzhydryl Compounds, Male, Neuronal Plasticity, Phenols, Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate, Receptors, AMPA, Maze Learning, Mice, Endocrine Disruptors, Cognitive Dysfunction

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