Brain Disorders and Chemical Pollutants: A Gap Junction Link?
Marc Mesnil1, Norah Defamie1, Christian Naus2
1Laboratoire STIM, ERL7003 CNRS-Université de Poitiers, 1 rue G. Bonnet-TSA 51 106, 86073 Poitiers, CEDEX 09, France.
Biomolecules
|January 5, 2021
Summary
Environmental pollutants may cause brain disorders by disrupting gap junctions, essential for brain cell communication. This research explores the link between pollutant exposure and conditions like autism, Parkinson
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Rising incidence of brain pathologies including autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
- Emerging evidence suggests environmental pollutants as a potential, underestimated cause of these brain disorders.
- Brain parenchyma relies on gap junctions for intercellular communication, and many pollutants are known to inhibit their function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that alterations in gap-junctional function due to pollutant exposure contribute to brain disorders.
- To examine the effects of various pollutants on gap junctions and connexin expression in the brain.
- To review the involvement of connexin dysfunction and pollutants in neurodevelopmental, neurobehavioral, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on gap-junctional organization, connexin expression, and function in brain parenchyma.
- Analysis of studies detailing the impact of major pollutants (pesticides, BPA, phthalates, heavy metals, airborne particles) on gap junctions.
- Categorization and description of brain disorders (neurodevelopmental, neurobehavioral, neurodegenerative, cancers) with known connexin dysfunction and pollutant links.
Main Results:
- Pollutants, including pesticides, bisphenol A, phthalates, heavy metals, and airborne particles, have been shown to inhibit gap-junctional function.
- Connexin dysfunction, a consequence of pollutant exposure, is implicated in various brain disorders.
- Evidence links pollutant-induced gap junction alterations to neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism), neurobehavioral disorders (e.g., depression), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's, Alzheimer's), and brain cancers (e.g., glioma).
Conclusions:
- Pollutant-induced inhibition of gap junctions is a plausible mechanism contributing to the development of various brain disorders.
- Both prenatal and postnatal pollutant exposures may lead to gap-junctional alterations, impacting brain health.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the role of environmental pollutants and gap-junctional dysfunction in brain pathologies.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseaseBrainParkinson’s diseaseattention deficit hyperactivity disordersautism spectrum disordersblood brain barrierconnexinepilepsygap junctiongliomamajor depressive disordersmigrainespesticidespollutantsMore Related Videos
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