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Epigenetics and Environmental Exposures in Early Neurodevelopment: Implications for Pediatric Neurological Disorders

Hassan Jubair1,2

  • 1Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh.

Sage Open Pediatrics
|October 14, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Early environmental exposures leave lasting epigenetic marks impacting neurodevelopment and contributing to pediatric neurological disorders like autism spectrum disorder and ADHD.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Pediatric neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), result from complex genetic and environmental interactions.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, are key mediators of how early-life exposures influence brain development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent studies on the link between early environmental exposures and epigenetic alterations in pediatric neurological disorders.
  • To synthesize findings from human cohorts and animal models to understand mechanisms disrupting neurodevelopment.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of 48 recent studies.
  • Analysis of human cohort and animal model data.
  • Focus on epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNAs).

Main Results:

  • Prenatal stress, maternal nutrition, endocrine disruptors, and air pollution are linked to epigenetic alterations.
  • These alterations disrupt critical neurodevelopmental processes: neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and neural differentiation.
  • Epigenetic modifications mediate the impact of environmental factors on brain development.

Conclusions:

  • Early environmental exposures can induce persistent epigenetic changes affecting neurodevelopment.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms provide insights into the etiology of pediatric neurological disorders.
  • Potential for early screening and epigenetic interventions in pediatric neurology exists.

Keywords:
ADHDautism spectrum disorderchild brain developmentenvironmental exposureepigeneticsneurodevelopmental disorderspediatric neurological disorderspediatric neurologyprenatal stress

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