Endocrine disrupting effects on morphological synaptic plasticity
Open accessAbstract
Neural regulation of the homeostasis depends on healthy synaptic function. Adaptation of synaptic functions to physiological needs manifests in various forms of synaptic plasticity (SP), regulated by the normal hormonal regulatory circuits. During the past several decades, the hormonal regulation of animal and human organisms have become targets of thousands of chemicals that have the potential to act as agonists or antagonists of the endogenous hormones. As the action mechanism of these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) came into the focus of research, a growing number of studies suggest that one of the regulatory avenues of hormones, the morphological form of SP, may well be a neural mechanism affected by EDCs. The present review discusses known and potential effects of some of the best known EDCs on morphological synaptic plasticity (MSP). We highlight molecular mechanisms altered by EDCs and indicate the growing need for more research in this area of neuroendocrinology.
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Neuroplasticity is a fundamental property of the CNS that enables neural circuits to adapt to activity and experience by modifying synaptic strength, connectivity, and structural organization.
“Neuroplasticity is a fundamental property of the CNS that enables neural circuits to adapt to activity and experience by modifying synaptic strength, connectivity, and, in some contexts, structural organization (Nugent et al., 2023; Weiss, 2007; Zsarnovszky et al., 2024).”
From Environmental endocrine disruptors at the synapse: mechanisms linking chemical exposure to cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (2026) · cites this paper as Zsarnovszky et al., 2024
Arsenic impairs glutamatergic signaling by reducing expression of the NR2A subunit of the NMDA receptor in the hippocampus, a change associated with impaired LTP and deficits in learning and memory.
“Arsenic impairs glutamatergic signaling by reducing expression of the NR2A subunit of the NMDA receptor in the hippocampus, a change associated with impaired LTP and deficits in learning and memory (Luo et al., 2012, 2009; Zsarnovszky et al., 2024).”
From Environmental endocrine disruptors at the synapse: mechanisms linking chemical exposure to cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (2026) · cites this paper as Zsarnovszky et al., 2024
Arsenic, lead, and cadmium enter the environment through mining, metal smelting, industrial emissions, and other anthropogenic processes.
“Among the most studied representatives are arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), which enter the environment through mining, metal smelting, industrial emissions and other anthropogenic processes (Schug et al., 2015; Zsarnovszky et al., 2024).”
From Environmental endocrine disruptors at the synapse: mechanisms linking chemical exposure to cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (2026) · cites this paper as Zsarnovszky et al., 2024
Arsenic is classified as the most dangerous toxic substance by the ATSDR.
“Arsenic is classified as the most dangerous toxic substance by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), underscoring its high relevance to environmental and health issues (Zsarnovszky et al., 2024).”
From Environmental endocrine disruptors at the synapse: mechanisms linking chemical exposure to cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (2026) · cites this paper as Zsarnovszky et al., 2024
Arsenic exerts neurotoxic effects through ROS generation, disrupted mitochondrial function, and Ca2+-dependent neuronal cell death.
“Arsenic likewise exerts neurotoxic effects through ROS generation, disrupted mitochondrial function and Ca2+-dependent neuronal cell death (Zsarnovszky et al., 2024).”
From Environmental endocrine disruptors at the synapse: mechanisms linking chemical exposure to cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (2026) · cites this paper as Zsarnovszky et al., 2024
Arsenic and cadmium induce oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis, compromising neuronal viability and synaptic integrity.
“Arsenic and cadmium induce oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis, thereby compromising neuronal viability and synaptic integrity (Zsarnovszky et al., 2024).”
From Environmental endocrine disruptors at the synapse: mechanisms linking chemical exposure to cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (2026) · cites this paper as Zsarnovszky et al., 2024
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Jocsak, G., Kiss, D. S., Alymbaeva, D., Diebald, A., Zsarnovszky, A., Heinzlmann, A., & Bartha, T. (2026) · Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2026.1821381 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Arsenic is classified as the most dangerous toxic substance by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), underscoring its high relevance to environmental and health issues (Zsarnovszky et al., 2024).”
InfluentialSelf-citation
- Authors
- Zsarnovszky, A., Alymbaeva, D., Jocsak, G., Szabo, C., Mária Schilling-Tóth, B., & Sandor Kiss, D.
- Affiliations
- Magyar Agrár- és Élettudományi Egyetem (HU)
- University of Veterinary Medicine (HU)
- Corresponding author
- Zsarnovszky, Attila
- Venue
- Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2024-10
- Volume
- 75
- Pages
- 101157
- ISSN
- 0091-3022 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4403312647
- Cited by
- 7
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 0.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- 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 › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Estrogen and related hormone effects
- Keywords
- endocrine disruptors, synaptic plasticity, neuroendocrinology
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Humans, Neuronal Plasticity, Synapses, Endocrine Disruptors
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