Neurodevelopment and endocrine disruption.
In this article I explore the possibility that contaminants contribute to the increasing prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and associated neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems in developed countries. I discuss the exquisite sensitivity of the embryo and fetus to thyroid disturbance and provide evidence of human in utero exposure to contaminants that can interfere with the thyroid. Because it may never be possible to link prenatal exposure to a specific chemical with neurodevelopmental damage in humans, I also present alternate models where associations have been made between exposure to specific chemicals or chemical classes and developmental difficulties in laboratory animals, wildlife, and humans.
Colborn
Theo
T
Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. colborn@tds.net
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D018570:Risk Assessment
D004785:Environmental Pollutants