Study Reveals Household Chemicals’ Threat to Brain Health
Photo by Kateryna Hliznitsova/Unsplash
A recent study conducted by researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine sheds light on the potential dangers posed by common household chemicals to brain health. Published in Nature Neuroscience, the study suggests a link between certain chemicals found in everyday items and neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Neurological disorders affect millions worldwide, with genetics accounting for only a fraction of cases, indicating significant environmental factors at play. The research, led by Paul Tesar, explores the impact of household chemicals on oligodendrocytes, specialized cells crucial for nerve cell insulation.
The study identified two classes of chemicals—organophosphate flame retardants and quaternary ammonium compounds—as particularly harmful to oligodendrocytes. Quaternary ammonium compounds, found in personal-care products and disinfectants, and organophosphate flame retardants, used in electronics and furniture, were shown to cause cell death and hinder cell maturation, respectively.
Using laboratory models, including cellular and organoid systems, researchers demonstrated the detrimental effects of these chemicals on oligodendrocytes in mice brains. Additionally, human exposure to these chemicals was associated with poor neurological outcomes in children nationwide.
Lead author Erin Cohn emphasizes the vulnerability of oligodendrocytes to these chemicals and suggests a link between chemical exposure and neurological diseases. However, further investigation is needed to fully understand this association, requiring tracking of chemical levels in human brains to determine exposure thresholds.
The study highlights the necessity for comprehensive scrutiny of household chemicals’ impacts on brain health. Tesar stresses the importance of informed decisions regarding regulatory measures and behavioral interventions to minimize chemical exposure and protect human health.
Contributing researchers from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency collaborated on the study, which received support from various organizations and philanthropic sources. This research underscores the urgency of addressing the potential risks posed by everyday chemicals to brain health and emphasizes the need for continued investigation and action to safeguard public health.
Source: Neuroscience News
Category: Education
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