Elucidating the links between endocrine disruptors and neurodevelopment

EDC-induced disturbances of receptor signaling, calcium homeostasis, oxidative balance, and gene regulation can have persistent consequences for neural plasticity, cognition, and behavior.

“Because exposure frequently occurs during highly sensitive developmental windows, including fetal life and early childhood, EDC-induced disturbances of receptor signaling, calcium homeostasis, oxidative balance, and gene regulation can have persistent consequences for neural plasticity, cognition, and behavior (Parent et al., 2011; Schug et al., 2015; Walker and Gore, 2017; Weiss, 2007).”

PCBs are a class of industrial chemicals consisting of up to 209 different congeners.

“PCBs are a class of industrial chemicals consisting of up to 209 different congeners (Parent et al., 2011; Schug et al., 2015).”

PAHs are ubiquitous pollutants mainly produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, widespread in urban environments, found in car exhaust and coal tar, and classified as endocrine disruptors.

“Finally, PAHs are a group of ubiquitous pollutants that are mainly produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and are therefore widespread in urban environments. They are found in car exhaust fumes, coal tar and numerous other sources and are also classified as endocrine disruptors due to their persistence and biological effects (Das et al., 2019; Schug et al., 2015; Tang et al., 2011).”

PCBs reduce circulating thyroxine, interfere with hepatic and cerebral thyroid hormone metabolism, compete with T4 for binding to transthyretin, and can interact directly with thyroid hormone receptors, acting in a context-dependent agonistic or antagonistic manner.

“PCBs reduce circulating thyroxine, interfere with hepatic and cerebral thyroid hormone metabolism, compete with thyroxine (T4) for binding to transthyretin, and can interact directly with thyroid hormone receptors, acting in a context-dependent agonistic or antagonistic manner [a8] (Dsouki et al., 2024; Schug et al., 2015; Zoeller et al., 2000).”

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).”

PCBs accumulate in the fatty tissue of animals and humans and bioaccumulate in the food chain, leading to continuous exposure.

“They accumulate in the fatty tissue of animals and humans and bioaccumulate in the food chain, leading to continuous exposure (Parent et al., 2011; Schug et al., 2015; Walker and Gore, 2017).”

In numerous studies, PCBs have been cited as the most convincing evidence for the link between exposure to endocrine disruptors and impaired cognitive function.

“In numerous studies, PCBs have therefore been cited as the most convincing evidence for the link between exposure to endocrine disruptors and impaired cognitive function (Schug et al., 2015).”

Cadmium reduces the availability of calmodulin, a calcium-binding protein essential for calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases involved in neurotransmitter release and synaptic efficiency.

“Cadmium reduces the availability of calmodulin, a calcium-binding protein essential for the activity of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases, which play a crucial role in neurotransmitter release and thus in the regulation of synaptic efficiency (Schug et al., 2015).”

PCBs activate ryanodine receptors, amplifying intracellular calcium release and triggering caspase-dependent cell death in embryonic hippocampal neurons.

“In addition, PCBs activate ryanodine receptors, thereby further amplifying intracellular calcium release and triggering caspase-dependent cell death in embryonic hippocampal neurons (Schug et al., 2015; Yavuz et al., 2023).”

Sex-specific effects have been described, for example in Taiwan, where prenatally exposed boys showed deficits in spatial abilities.

“Sex-specific effects have also been described, for example in Taiwan, where prenatally exposed boys showed deficits in spatial abilities (Schug et al., 2015).”

Sex-dependent effects in motor development have been reported, differing according to the specific phthalate involved.

“Sex-dependent effects have also been reported, particularly in motor development, which differed according to the specific phthalate involved (Schug et al., 2015; Weiss, 2011).”