title: Developmental Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Neurodevelopment.
abstract: Exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) during sensitive developmental windows can interfere with cognitive function and behavior, which are critical components of neurodevelopment. The association between developmental exposure to PBDEs and neurodevelopment has been extensively studied using animal models. In this review, we focus on the accumulating evidence in humans. Despite methodological, geographical, and temporal differences between studies, the majority of the epidemiologic evidence supports that early life exposure to PBDEs measured during pregnancy and/or during childhood is detrimental to child neurodevelopment in domains related to child behavior, cognition, and motor skills. While the precise mechanism of action of PBDEs on neurodevelopment is unknown, PBDE-induced neurotoxicity via thyroid hormone disruption and direct action of PBDEs on the developing brain have been proposed and tested. Additional studies are suggested to better understand how early life and/or childhood PBDE exposures, including exposure to specific PBDE congeners, impact neurodevelopmental indices.
authors.affiliation: Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W168th Street, Room 1217, New York, NY 10032.
authors.forename: Julie B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Herbstman
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2.
authors.forename: Jennifer K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Mall
keywords: Developmental exposure; Epidemiology; Neurodevelopment; Perinatal; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers