Brain Region-specific Perfluoroalkylated Sulfonate (PFSA) and Carboxylic Acid (PFCA) Accumulation and Neurochemical Biomarker Responses in East Greenland Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)

Eggers Pedersen, Kathrine; Basu, Niladri; Letcher, Robert; Greaves, Alana K.; Sonne, Christian; Dietz, Rune; Styrishave, Bjarne

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2015.01.015

Cited by 116Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchToxic Organic Pollutants ImpactEnvironmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

Brain Region-specific Perfluoroalkylated Sulfonate (PFSA) and Carboxylic Acid (PFCA) Accumulation and Neurochemical Biomarker Responses in East Greenland Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)

Eggers Pedersen, Kathrine, Basu, Niladri, Letcher, Robert, Greaves, Alana K., Sonne, Christian, Dietz, Rune, Styrishave, Bjarne·2015·Environmental Research

DOI 10.1016/j.envres.2015.01.015

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Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is a growing class of contaminants in the Arctic environment, and include the established perfluorinated sulfonates (PFSAs; especially perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)) and carboxylic acids (PFCAs). PFSAs and PFCAs of varying chain length have been reported to bioaccumulate in lipid rich tissues of the brain among other tissues such as liver, and can reach high concentrations in top predators including the polar bear. PFCA and PFSA bioaccummulation in the brain has the potential to pose neurotoxic effects and therefore we conducted a study to investigate if variations in neurochemical transmitter systems i.e. the cholinergic, glutaminergic, dopaminergic and GABAergic, could be related to brain-specific bioaccumulation of PFASs in East Greenland polar bears. Nine brain regions from nine polar bears were analyzed for enzyme activity (monoamine oxidase (MAO), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutamine synthetase (GS)) and receptor density (dopamine-2 (D2), muscarinic cholinergic (mAChR) and gamma-butyric acid type A (GABA-A)) along with PFSA and PFCA concentrations. Average brain ∑PFSA concentration was 25ng/g ww where PFOS accounted for 91%. Average ∑PFCA concentration was 88ng/g ww where PFUnDA, PFDoDA and PFTrDA combined accounted for 79%. The highest concentrations of PFASs were measured in brain stem, cerebellum and hippocampus. Correlative analyses were performed both across and within brain regions. Significant positive correlations were found between PFASs and MAO activity in occipital lobe (e.g. ∑PFCA; rp=0.83, p=0.041, n=6) and across brain regions (e.g. ∑PFCA; rp=0.47, p=0.001, ∑PFSA; rp=0.44, p>0.001; n=50). GABA-A receptor density was positively correlated with two PFASs across brain regions (PFOS; rp=0.33, p=0.02 and PFDoDA; rp=0.34, p=0.014; n=52). Significant negative correlations were found between mAChR density and PFASs in cerebellum (e.g. ∑PFCA; rp=-0.95, p=0.013, n=5) and across brain regions (e.g. ∑PFCA; rp=-0.40, p=0.003, ∑PFSA; rp=-0.37, p=0.007; n=52). AChE activity and D2 density were negatively correlated with single PFCAs in several brain regions, whereas GS activity was positively correlated with PFASs primarily in occipital lobe. Results from the present study support the hypothesis that PFAS concentrations in polar bears from East Greenland have exceeded the threshold limits for neurochemical alterations. It is not known whether the observed alterations in neurochemical signaling are currently having negative effects on neurochemistry in East Greenland polar bears. However given the importance of these systems in cognitive processes and motor function, the present results indicate an urgent need for a better understanding of neurochemical effects of PFAS exposure to wildlife.

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In polar bear brains, the highest PFAS concentrations were reported in the hypothalamus, brain stem, thalamus, and cerebellum, whereas the lowest concentrations were observed in the cortex.
“The highest concentrations of PFAS were reported in the hypothalamus, brain stem, thalamus, and cerebellum, whereas the lowest concentrations were observed in the cortex (Greaves et al., 2013; Eggers Pedersen et al., 2015).”
From A Critical Review and Meta-Analysis of Impacts of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances on the Brain and Behavior (2022) · cites this paper as Eggers Pedersen et al., 2015

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Effects of an Environmentally Relevant PFAS Mixture on Dopamine and Steroid Hormone Levels in Exposed Mice
Grønnestad, R., Johanson, S. M., Müller, M. H. B., Schlenk, D., Tanabe, P., Krøkje, Å., Jaspers, V. L. B., Jenssen, B. M., Ræder, E. M., Lyche, J. L., et al. (2021) · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.taap.2021.115670 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Polar bears: proceedings of the 18th working meeting of the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group, Anchorage, Alaska, 7-11 June 2016
Laidre, K. L., & York, G. S. (2018) · doi:10.2305/iucn.ch.2018.ssc-op.63.en · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Modeled prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in association with child autism spectrum disorder: A case-control study
Shin, H., Bennett, D. H., Calafat, A. M., Tancredi, D. J., & Hertz‐Picciotto, I. (2020) · Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2020.109514 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Single and mixture per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances accumulate in developing Northern leopard frog brains and produce complex neurotransmission alterations
Foguth, R. M., Hoskins, T. D., Clark, G. C., Nelson, M. D., Flynn, R. W., de Perre, C., Hoverman, J. T., Lee, L., Sepúlveda, M. S., & Cannon, J. R. (2020) · Neurotoxicology and Teratology · doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2020.106907 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) crossing the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier: Their occurrence in human cerebrospinal fluid
Hu, W. G., Zhang, M., Liu, L., Zhang, Z.-F., & Guo, Y. (2022) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130003 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Insights into the circadian rhythm alterations of the novel PFOS substitutes F-53B and OBS on adult zebrafish
Wang, Q., Gu, X., Liu, Y., Liu, S., Lu, W., Wu, Y., Lu, H., Huang, J., & Tu, W. (2023) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130959 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
On the integration of ecological and physiological variables in polar bear toxicology research: a systematic review
Bechshøft, T., Derocher, A. E., Viengkone, M., Routti, H., Aars, J., Letcher, R. J., Dietz, R., Sonne, C., Jenssen, B. M., Richardson, E. S., et al. (2017) · Environmental Reviews · doi:10.1139/er-2016-0118 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Little brain, little minds: The big role of the cerebellum in social development
Olson, I. R., Hoffman, L. J., Jobson, K. R., Popal, H. S., & Wang, Y. (2023) · Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101238 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
“Prenatal alcohol exposure and childhood lead exposure damage the developing cerebellum (Kumar et al., 2013; Sanders et al., 2009) and newer findings show that perfluorinated carboxylates accumulate in the hippocampus and cerebellum (Eggers Pedersen et al., 2015).”
Impact of chemical pollution on threatened marine mammals: A systematic review
Schaap, I. L., Buedenbender, L., Johann, S., Hollert, H., & Doğruer, G. (2023) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132203 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Neurotoxic effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) mixture exposure in mice: Accumulations in brain and associated changes of behaviors, metabolome, and transcriptome
He, Q., Yang, Q., Wu, L., He, Y., Zeng, N., & Wang, Z. (2025) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137699 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Adverse Outcome Pathway for the Neurotoxicity of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: A Systematic Review
Li, S., Qin, S., Zeng, H., Chou, W., Oudin, A., Kanninen, K. M., Jalava, P., Dong, G., & Zeng, X. (2024) · Eco-Environment & Health · doi:10.1016/j.eehl.2024.08.002 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Childhood perfluoroalkyl substance exposure and executive function in children at 8 years
Vuong, A. M., Yolton, K. A., Wang, Z., Xie, C., Webster, G. M., Ye, X., Calafat, A. M., Braun, J. M., Dietrich, K. N., Lanphear, B. P., et al. (2018) · Environment International · doi:10.1016/j.envint.2018.06.028 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Time-dependent effects of perfluorinated compounds on viability in cerebellar granule neurons: Dependence on carbon chain length and functional group attached
Berntsen, H. F., Bjørklund, C. G., Audinot, J., Hofer, T., Verhaegen, S., Lentzen, E., Gutleb, A. C., & Ropstad, E. (2017) · NeuroToxicology · doi:10.1016/j.neuro.2017.09.005 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Comparison of sub-lethal metabolic perturbations of select legacy and novel perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in Daphnia magna
Labine, L. M., Pereira, E. A. O., Kleywegt, S. M., Jobst, K. J., Simpson, A. J., & Simpson, M. J. (2022) · Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.113582 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) – New endocrine disruptors in polar bears (Ursus maritimus)?
Pedersen, K. E., Letcher, R. J., Sonne, C., Dietz, R., & Styrishave, B. (2016) · Environment International · doi:10.1016/j.envint.2016.07.015 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Unraveling the mechanisms of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity and microglial activation in developing zebrafish
Mahapatra, A., Gupta, P., Suman, A., Ray, S. S., Malafaia, G., & Singh, R. K. (2023) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164030 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), trace elements and life history parameters of mass-stranded common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in New Zealand
Stockin, K. A., Yi, S., Northcott, G. L., Betty, E. L., Machovsky‐Capuska, G. E., Jones, J. B., Perrott, M. R., Law, R. J., Rumsby, A., Thelen, M. A., et al. (2021) · Marine Pollution Bulletin · doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112896 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Developmental neurotoxicity of PFOA exposure on hiPSC-derived cortical neurons
Wu, S., Xie, J., Zhao, H., Zhao, X., Sánchez, O. F., Rochet, J., Freeman, J. L., & Yuan, C. (2024) · Environment International · doi:10.1016/j.envint.2024.108914 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
“PFOA has been identified in different brain regions of human and wildlife (Di Nisio et al., 2022; Greaves et al., 2013; Pedersen et al., 2015).”
Occurrence, bioaccumulation and trophodynamics of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in terrestrial and marine ecosystems of Svalbard, Arctic
Dai, S., Zhang, G., Dong, C., Yang, R., Pei, Z., Li, Y., Li, A., Zhang, Q., & Jiang, G. (2024) · Water Research · doi:10.1016/j.watres.2024.122979 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
A veterinary perspective on One Health in the Arctic
Sonne, C., Letcher, R. J., Jenssen, B. M., Desforges, J.-P. W., Eulaers, I., Andersen-Ranberg, E., Gustavson, K., Styrishave, B., & Dietz, R. (2017) · Acta veterinaria Scandinavica · doi:10.1186/s13028-017-0353-5 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Prenatal and childhood exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and measures of attention, impulse control, and visual spatial abilities
Vuong, A. M., Braun, J. M., Yolton, K. A., Wang, Z., Xie, C., Webster, G. M., Ye, X., Calafat, A. M., Dietrich, K. N., Lanphear, B. P., et al. (2018) · Environment International · doi:10.1016/j.envint.2018.07.013 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Significant Variability in the Developmental Toxicity of Representative Perfluoroalkyl Acids as a Function of Chemical Speciation
Bai, Y., Wang, Q., Li, J., Zhou, B., Lam, P. K. S., Hu, C., & Chen, L. (2023) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/acs.est.3c06178 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Relationships between POPs, biometrics and circulating steroids in male polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Svalbard
Ciesielski, T. M., Hansen, I. T., Bytingsvik, J., Hansen, M. A., Lie, E., Aars, J., Jenssen, B. M., & Styrishave, B. (2017) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2017.06.095 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Profiling research on <scp>PFAS</scp> in wildlife: Systematic evidence map and bibliometric analysis
Vendl, C., Taylor, M. D., Bräunig, J., Ricolfi, L., Ahmed, R., Chin, M., Gibson, M. J., Hesselson, D., Neely, G. G., Lagisz, M., et al. (2024) · Ecological Solutions and Evidence · doi:10.1002/2688-8319.12292 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Marine Mammals
Fair, P. A., & Houde, M. (2018) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-812144-3.00005-x · Cited by 30 · see citing works
PFOS-induced excitotoxicity is dependent on Ca2+ influx via NMDA receptors in rat cerebellar granule neurons
Berntsen, H. F., Bjørklund, C. G., Strandabø, R. A. U., Haug, T. M., Moldes‐Anaya, A., Fuentes-Lazaro, J., Verhaegen, S., Paulsen, R. E., Tasker, R. A., & Ropstad, E. (2018) · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.taap.2018.08.015 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Effects of subchronic exposure of perfluorooctane sulfonate on cognitive function of mice and its mechanism
Zhang, H., Zhang, C., Xu, D., Wang, Q., & Xu, D. (2023) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121650 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Glioma is associated with exposure to legacy and alternative per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Xie, M., Sun, X.-F., Wu, C.-C., Huang, G., Wang, P., Lin, Z., Liu, Y., Liu, L., & Zeng, E. Y. (2022) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129819 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and neurobehavioral function and cognition in adolescents (2010–2011) and elderly people (2014): results from the Flanders Environment and Health Studies (FLEHS)
Larebeke, N. V., Koppen, G., Craemer, S. D., Colles, A., Bruckers, L. M., Hond, E. D., Govarts, E., Morrens, B., Schettgen, T., Rémy, S., et al. (2022) · Environmental Sciences Europe · doi:10.1186/s12302-022-00675-3 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“[79] observed changes in neurochemical signaling in association with PFAS concentrations in the brain of polar bears.”
Background
Alteration of neuro-dopamine and steroid hormone homeostasis in wild Bank voles in relation to tissue concentrations of PFAS at a Nordic skiing area
Grønnestad, R., Schlenk, D., Krøkje, Å., Jaspers, V. L. B., Jenssen, B. M., Coffin, S., Bertotto, L. B., Giroux, M. S., Lyche, J. L., & Arukwe, A. (2020) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143745 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Maternal exposure to a human based mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) affect gene expression related to brain function in mice offspring hippocampus
Myhre, O., Zimmer, K. E., Hudecova, A. M., Hansen, K. E. A., Khezri, A., Berntsen, H. F., Berg, V., Lyche, J. L., Mandal, S., Duale, N., et al. (2021) · Chemosphere · doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130123 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Occurrence and tissue distribution of 33 legacy and novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in Baikal seals (Phoca sibirica)
Sait, S. T. L., Rinø, S. F., González, S. V., Владимирович, П. М., Полетаева, В. И., Farkas, J., Jenssen, B. M., Ciesielski, T. M., & Asimakopoulos, A. G. (2023) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164096 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Childhood Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Neurobehavioral Domains in Children at Age 8 Years
Vuong, A. M., Yolton, K., Xie, C., Dietrich, K. N., Braun, J. M., Webster, G. M., Calafat, A. M., Lanphear, B. P., & Chen, A. (2021) · Neurotoxicology and Teratology · doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2021.107022 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
A novel method for analysing key corticosteroids in polar bear ( Ursus maritimus ) hair using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Weisser, J. J., Hansen, M. A., Björklund, E., Sonne, C., Dietz, R., & Styrishave, B. (2016) · Journal of Chromatography B · doi:10.1016/j.jchromb.2016.02.029 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Peripherally administered persistent organic pollutants distribute to the brain of developing chicken embryo in concentrations relevant for human exposure
Yadav, A., Verhaegen, S., Hadera, M. G., Berntsen, H. F., Berg, V., Lyche, J. L., Sabaredzovic, A., Haug, L. S., Myhre, O., Zimmer, K. E., et al. (2021) · NeuroToxicology · doi:10.1016/j.neuro.2021.10.013 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Concentrations of 45 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) from West Virginia, USA
Li, Z., Roos, A. M., Serfass, T. L., Lee, C., & Kannan, K. (2024) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/acs.est.3c09467 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Assessment of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid exposure through fish consumption in Italy
Barbarossa, A., Gazzotti, T., Farabegoli, F., Mancini, F. R., Zironi, E., Busani, L., & Pagliuca, G. (2016) · Italian Journal of Food Safety · doi:10.4081/ijfs.2016.6055 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“…high resistance against thermal degradation, hydrolysis, photolysis and biodegradation, have resulted in their global distribution, persistence in the environment, even in areas far from anthropogenic activities, and accumulation in biota (Ahrens and Bundschuh, 2014; Eggers Pedersen et al., 2015).”
Initial study on the possible mechanisms involved in the effects of high doses of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) on prolactin secretion
Salgado, R., Pereiro, N., López-Doval, S., & Lafuente, A. (2015) · Food and Chemical Toxicology · doi:10.1016/j.fct.2015.05.013 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
The development and function of the brain barriers – an overlooked consideration for chemical toxicity
Bell, K. S., & O’Shaughnessy, K. L. (2022) · Frontiers in Toxicology · doi:10.3389/ftox.2022.1000212 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Sublethal Exposure of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances of Varying Chain Length and Polar Functionality Results in Distinct Metabolic Responses in Daphnia magna
Labine, L. M., Pereira, E. A. O., Kleywegt, S. M., Jobst, K. J., Simpson, A. J., & Simpson, M. J. (2022) · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry · doi:10.1002/etc.5517 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“…correlated with disruptions to acetylcholine esterase (AChE) in polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ), water ﬂ eas ( D. magna ), and zebra ﬁ sh ( Danio rerio ); this ﬁ nding was also observed in PFSA (PFOS) exposure (Eggers Pedersen et al., 2015; Jeong et al., 2016; Li et al., 2017; Yang et al., 2019).”
Association between perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl internal exposure and serum α-Klotho levels in middle-old aged participants
Li, M., Ma, Y., Cheng, W., Zhang, L., Zhou, C., Zhang, W., & Zhang, W. (2023) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1136454 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Prenatal exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances and postpartum depression in women with twin pregnancies
Hu, L., Mei, H., Cai, X., Song, L., Xu, Q. Q., Gao, W., Zhang, D., Zhou, J., Sun, C., Li, Y., et al. (2024) · International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health · doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114324 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from Svalbard – A comparison of concentrations in plasma sampled 15 years apart
Villanger, G. D., Kovacs, K. M., Lydersen, C., Haug, L. S., Sabaredzovic, A., Jenssen, B. M., & Routti, H. (2020) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114497 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Exploring the neurodegenerative potential of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances through an adverse outcome pathway network
Mousavi, S. E., Yu, Q., & Shin, H. (2025) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178972 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acids with Increasing Carbon Chain Lengths Upregulate Amino Acid Transporters and Modulate Compensatory Response of Xenobiotic Transporters in HepaRG Cells
Lim, J. J., Suh, Y. P., Faustman, E. M., & Cui, J. Y. (2021) · Drug Metabolism and Disposition · doi:10.1124/dmd.121.000477 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modelling of distribution, bioaccumulation and excretion of POPs in Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris)
Sonne, C., Gustavson, K., Letcher, R. J., & Dietz, R. (2015) · Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2015.06.034 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“…hormone and neurochemical status (Basu et al., 2009; Braathen et al., 2004; Gustavson et al., 2015; Haave et al., 2003; Oskam et al., 2003, 2004; Pedersen et al., 2015; Skaare et al., 2001), immune systems (Lie et al., 2004, 2005) and sexual organs (Sonne et al., 2006a, 2007a, 2009, 2015) among…”
Background
Investigation of the Link between Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Stress Biomarkers in Bottlenose Dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus )
Bennett, B. J., Aung, M. T., Boonstra, R., Delehanty, B., Houde, M., Muir, D. C. G., Fair, P. A., & Gribble, M. O. (2024) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/acs.est.3c06979 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Risk evaluation of the Arctic environmental POP exposure based on critical body residue and critical daily dose using captive Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris) as surrogate species
Sonne, C., Gustavson, K., Eulaers, I., Desforges, J.-P. W., Letcher, R. J., Rigét, F. F., Styrishave, B., & Dietz, R. (2016) · Environment International · doi:10.1016/j.envint.2015.11.017 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Neurotoxicity and Potential Mechanisms of Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)
Song, Y., Ma, Y., Huang, Y., Song, D., Hu, C., Zhang, X., Chen, Y., Zhang, L., & Lu, L. (2025) · Molecular Neurobiology · doi:10.1007/s12035-025-05573-2 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Comparative review of the distribution and burden of contaminants in the body of polar bears
Dominique, M., Letcher, R. J., Rutter, A., & Langlois, V. S. (2020) · Environmental Science and Pollution Research · doi:10.1007/s11356-020-09193-2 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
The pollutant perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) reduces serum thyroxine but does not alter thyroid action in the postnatal rat brain
O’Shaughnessy, K. L., Bell, K. S., Sasser, A. L., Gilbert, M. E., Riutta, C., Ford, J., McCord, J. P., & Wood, C. R. (2024) · Environment International · doi:10.1016/j.envint.2024.108838 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Wildlife biomonitoring experiments have also shown the presence of PFHxS and other PFAS in brain tissue (Eggers Pedersen et al., 2015; Greaves et al., 2013; Kannan et al., 2001; Van de Vijver et al., 2005).”
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the major rivers of Korea: Distribution in the environment and bioaccumulation in crucian carp fish
Hung, M. D., Nga, N. T., Jung, H. J., Shin, Y.-J., Lee, B., & Cho, H.-S. (2025) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179483 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Adipose Tissue Transcriptome Is Related to Pollutant Exposure in Polar Bear Mother–Cub Pairs from Svalbard, Norway
Herst, P. M., Aars, J., Beauparlant, C. J., Bodein, A., Dalvai, M., Gagné, D., Droit, A., Bailey, J. L., & Routti, H. (2020) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/acs.est.0c01920 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and infant sleep disturbance: A prospective cohort study
Huang, Y., Fang, F., Chen, Y., He, X., Chen, Q., Wang, H., & Zhang, J. (2023) · Environment International · doi:10.1016/j.envint.2023.108070 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Prenatal exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances and its association with Developmental Defects of Enamel (DDE) and dental caries in 4 years old children: Findings from Shanghai birth cohort.
Abuduxukuer, K., Wang, H.-N., Wang, C., Luo, X., Zeng, X.-L., Da, D.-X., Yu, J., Lu, W., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y., et al. (2025) · Environment International · doi:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109411 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) antagonizes gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in larval zebrafish and mammalian models
Owen, R., de Macedo, G., Nerlich, J., Scharkin, I., Bartmann, K., Döbler, J., Engelmann, B., Rolle-Kampczyk, U. E., Leuthold, D., Gutsfeld, S., et al. (2025) · Toxicological Sciences · doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfaf101 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Wealth Creation without Pollution: Designing for Industry, Ecobusiness Parks and Industrial Estates
D’Arcy, B. J., Kim, L.-H., Maniquiz-Redillas, M. C., D'Arcy, B. J., Kim, L.-H., Morrison, P., Harrison, P. T. C., D’Arcy, B. J., Kim, L.-H., D’Arcy, B. J., et al. (2017) · IWA Publishing eBooks · doi:10.2166/9781780408347 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Ecotoxicologic Stress in Arctic Marine Mammals, With Particular Focus on Polar Bears
Routti, H., Jenssen, B. M., & Tartu, S. (2018) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-812144-3.00013-9 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Arctic Ecosystems, Wildlife and Man: Threats from Persistent Organic Pollutants and Mercury
Sonne, C., Letcher, R. J., Jenssen, B. M., & Dietz, R. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-87853-5_6 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): A special reference to their monitoring, distribution, and environmental fate
Liu, M., Qadeer, A., Anis, M., Ajmal, Z., Bekele, T. G., Wang, S., Jiang, X., & Leung, K. (2023) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-96002-1.00001-8 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Steroid hormones in multiple tissues of East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus)
Styrishave, B., Pedersen, K. E., Clarke, O., Hansen, M. A., Björklund, E., Sonne, C., & Dietz, R. (2016) · Polar Biology · doi:10.1007/s00300-016-1922-1 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Other contaminants such as poly fluorinated compounds and mercury are capable of crossing the blood–brain barrier of polar bears to enter the various brain compartments, with the potential to affect neurological transmitter substances (Basu et al. 2009; Pedersen et al. 2015).”
BackgroundInfluential
Unravelling the chemistry of PFAS transfer from packaging to food
Bisht, B., Dimri, S., Vlaskin, M. S., Dmitriev, A. A., Verma, M., Kumar, A., Aayush, K., Kim, H., & Kumar, V. (2025) · Trends in Food Science & Technology · doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2025.105467 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Endocrine Disruption in Wildlife Species
Coppock, R. W., & Dziwenka, M. M. (2017) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-804239-7.00071-8 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Neurochemical mechanisms of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) neurotoxic action
Brown-Leung, J. M., & Cannon, J. R. (2023) · Advances in neurotoxicology · doi:10.1016/bs.ant.2023.08.002 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Association between perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and adolescents' sleep disorders: NHANES 2005–2018
Gao, B., Gong, Y., Lu, Y., Gou, S., Lai, X., Luo, G., & Yang, H. (2025) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1584281 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in brain samples of marine mammals from the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf, Canada
Khalid, N. K., Aker, A. M., Lair, S., & Sauvé, S. (2025) · Environmental Science Advances · doi:10.1039/d5va00061k · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Thyroid Hormone Neuroprotection Against Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid Cholinergic and Glutamatergic Disruption and Neurodegeneration Induction
Moyano, P. M., Guzmán, G., Flores, A., García, J., Guerra-Menéndez, L., Sanjuan, J., Plaza, J. C., Abascal, L., Sierra, O. M., & del Pino, J. (2024) · Biomedicines · doi:10.3390/biomedicines12112441 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Novel Insights into the Distribution and Effects of Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in the Nervous System of a Frog Tadpole Model by Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Poulsen, R., Field, E. M., Jackson, A., Kuecks-Winger, H. N., Thambirajah, A. A., Goodlett, D. R., Helbing, C. C., & Pětrošová, H. (2026) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/acs.est.5c17483 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Hair analysis as a non-invasive method for assessing the exposure of wildlife to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
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Authors: Eggers Pedersen, K., Basu, N., Letcher, R., Greaves, A. K., Sonne, C., Dietz, R., & Styrishave, B.
Affiliations: McGill University (CA)
Environment and Climate Change Canada (CA)
Aarhus University (DK)
University of Copenhagen (DK)
ORCID: Basu, Niladri
Letcher, Robert
Greaves, Alana K.
Sonne, Christian
Styrishave, Bjarne
Venue: Environmental Research
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2015-04
Volume: 138
Pages: 22-31
ISSN: 0013-9351 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.01.015
OpenAlex: W2155487495
Cited by: 116
References: 46
Citations by year: 2026: 15 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2
FWCI: 5.39
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Environmental Research (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
Keywords: perfluorinated compounds, PFOS, perfluorocarboxylic acids, polar bear, neurochemical markers, monoamine oxidase, acetylcholinesterase, glutamine synthetase, dopamine D2 receptor, muscarinic receptors, neurotoxicity, Arctic contaminants, perfluoroundecanoic acid, top predators, East Greenland
MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase, Animals, Ursidae, Brain, Carboxylic Acids, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid, Environmental Exposure, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Pollutants, Female, Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase, Greenland, Male, Monoamine Oxidase, Mass Spectrometry, Biomarkers, Alkanesulfonic Acids, Receptors, Neurotransmitter

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Brain Region-specific Perfluoroalkylated Sulfonate (PFSA) and Carboxylic Acid (PFCA) Accumulation and Neurochemical Biomarker Responses in East Greenland Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)

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