Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
The Use of Trace Eyeblink Classical Conditioning to Assess Hippocampal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Published on: August 5, 2017
Maternal concentrations of perfluoroalkyl sulfonates and alterations in white matter microstructure in the developing
Gillian England-Mason1, Anthony J F Reardon2, Jess E Reynolds3
1Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Insights
Maternal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may impact child brain development. Higher PFAS levels were linked to altered white matter microstructure in young children, with sex-specific effects observed.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Maternal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is associated with neurodevelopmental issues in children.
- Previous research links neurodevelopmental difficulties to white matter microstructure alterations.
- The specific impact of PFAS on children's white matter microstructure requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal blood concentrations of specific perfluoroalkyl sulfonates and white matter microstructure in young children.
- To utilize longitudinal neuroimaging data to assess these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Study included 84 Canadian maternal-child pairs.
- Maternal second-trimester blood concentrations of perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) and PFOS isomers were measured.
- Children's brain white matter microstructure was assessed using MRI (279 scans) between ages 2-6, analyzed with linear mixed models for fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD).
Main Results:
- Higher maternal PFAS concentrations correlated with increased mean diffusivity (MD) and decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in the corpus callosum.
- Sex-specific associations were observed: PFHxS affected white matter tracts in males, while PFOS isomers showed varied associations with white matter tracts in both males and females.
Conclusions:
- Maternal PFAS exposure may lead to sex-specific alterations in white matter development during early childhood.
- These alterations could potentially contribute to neurodevelopmental difficulties.
- Further research with larger cohorts is necessary to confirm these neurotoxic effects.
Background:
Maternal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been linked to child neurodevelopmental difficulties. Neuroimaging research has linked these neurodevelopmental difficulties to white matter microstructure alterations, but the effects of PFAS on children's white matter microstructure remains unclear. We investigated associations between maternal blood concentrations of six common perfluoroalkyl sulfonates and white matter alterations in young children using longitudinal neuroimaging data.
Methods:
This study included 84 maternal-child pairs from a Canadian pregnancy cohort. Maternal second trimester blood concentrations of perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) and five perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) isomers were quantified. Children underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans between ages two and six (279 scans total). Adjusted linear mixed models investigated associations between each exposure and white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD).
Results:
Higher maternal concentrations of perfluoroalkyl sulfonates were associated with higher MD and lower FA in the body and splenium of the corpus callosum of young children. Multiple sex-specific associations were found. In males, PFHxS was negatively associated with FA in the superior longitudinal fasciculus, while PFOS isomers were positively associated with MD in the inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF). In females, PFOS isomers were positively associated with FA in the pyramidal fibers and MD in the fornix, but negatively associated with MD in the ILF.
Conclusion:
Maternal exposure to perfluoroalkyl sulfonates may alter sex-specific white matter development in young children, potentially contributing to neurodevelopmental difficulties. Larger studies are needed to replicate these findings and examine the neurotoxicity of these chemicals.
More Related Videos
07:36Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
03:19Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
