Perspective on prenatal polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and the development of the progeny nervous system (Review)

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Neuroscience
• Toxicology

Background:

• The developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) paradigm highlights early-life exposures influencing later disease risk.
• The nervous system is particularly vulnerable to environmental insults during development.
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals with known toxicological effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize epidemiological findings on the effects of intrauterine PCB exposure on neurological development.
• To explore the potential mechanisms underlying PCB-induced neurodevelopmental alterations.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing epidemiological studies investigating PCB exposure and neurological outcomes.
• Analysis of toxicological data on the mechanisms of PCB action on the nervous system.

Main Results:

• Divergent results exist across epidemiological studies regarding PCB exposure and neurological development.
• DL-PCBs activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, while NDL-PCBs affect calcium channels, impacting neuronal processes.
• PCB accumulation can disrupt the fetal-placental unit, affecting thyroid hormones and the dopaminergic system, leading to neuroendocrine disorders.

Conclusions:

• Intrauterine PCB exposure poses risks to neurological development through various toxicological pathways.
• Further research is needed to reconcile inconsistent epidemiological findings and clarify PCB-related neurodevelopmental risks.