Autism, Mitochondria and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Exposure

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Toxicology

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect over 1 in 68 children in the US by age 8.
• The etiology of ASD is multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental factors.
• Limited progress has been made in understanding the specific causes of ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential link between polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) exposure and autism risk.
• To explore the role of mitochondrial dysfunction as a mediator in this relationship.
• To understand how environmental factors like PBDEs may contribute to ASD.

Main Methods:

• This is a review article, synthesizing existing research.
• The review examines the environmental abundance and human exposure levels of PBDEs.
• It analyzes the known effects of PBDEs on neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and mitochondria.

Main Results:

• PBDEs are environmentally abundant and humans are exposed to them.
• PBDEs exhibit activity relevant to neuronal development and mitochondrial function.
• PBDEs bioaccumulate within mitochondria, suggesting a direct impact on cellular energy production.

Conclusions:

• Perinatal PBDE exposure may contribute to ASD etiology and morbidity.
• PBDEs can induce or exacerbate mitochondrial dysfunction during child development.
• This mitochondrial dysfunction, alongside a compromised antioxidant response, increases autism susceptibility.