Polybrominated diphenyl ethers: neurobehavioral effects following developmental exposure.

Full Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a class of widely used flame retardants, are becoming widespread environmental pollutants, as indicated by studies on sentinel animal species, as well as humans. Of particular concern are the reported increasingly high levels of PBDEs in human milk, as should be given that almost no information is available on their potential effects on developing organisms. In order to address this issue, studies have been conducted in mice and rats to assess the potential neurotoxic effects of perinatal exposure to PBDEs (congeners 47, 99, 153 and the penta-BDE mixture DE-71). Characteristic endpoints of PBDE neurotoxicity are, among others, endocrine disruption (e.g. decreased thyroid hormone levels), alteration in cholinergic system activity (behavioral hyporesponsivity to nicotine challenge), as well as alterations of several behavioral parameters. In particular, the main hallmark of PBDE neurotoxicity is a marked hyperactivity at adulthood. Furthermore, a deficit in learning and memory processes has been found at adulthood in neonatally exposed animals. Some of neurotoxic effects of PBDEs are comparable to those of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), though the latter class of compounds seems to exert a stronger toxic effect. Available information on PBDE neurotoxicity obtained from animal studies and the possibility of neonatal exposure to PBDEs via the mother's milk suggest that these compounds may represent a potential risk for neurobehavioral development in humans.

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Author information

Author/s: Branchi, Igor (I); Capone, Francesca (F); Alleva, Enrico (E); Costa, Lucio G (LG);

Affiliation: Section of Behavioural Pathophysiology, Laboratorio di Fisiopatologia, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. branchi(-atsign-)iss.it

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Neurotoxicology (Neurotoxicology), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Jun; vol 24 (issue 3) : pp 449-62

Dates: Created 2003/06/03; Completed 2003/09/02; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 12782110, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals
Behavior - drug effects; physiology
Cognition - drug effects; physiology
Female
Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
Humans

Humans
Hydrocarbons, Brominated - chemistry; toxicity
Phenyl Ethers - chemistry; toxicity
Polybrominated Biphenyls - chemistry; toxicity
Pregnancy
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects

Associated Chemicals: Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers (0) ; Hydrocarbons, Brominated (0) ; Phenyl Ethers (0) ; Polybrominated Biphenyls (0) ; pentabromodiphenyl ether (32534-81-9)

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