title: Elucidating the links between endocrine disruptors and neurodevelopment.
abstract: Recent data indicate that approximately 12% of children in the United States are affected by neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, intellectual disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders. Accumulating evidence indicates a multifactorial etiology for these disorders, with social, physical, genetic susceptibility, nutritional factors, and chemical toxicants acting together to influence risk. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals during the early stages of life can disrupt normal patterns of development and thus alter brain function and disease susceptibility later in life. This article highlights research efforts and pinpoints approaches that could shed light on the possible associations between environmental chemicals that act on the endocrine system and compromised neurodevelopmental outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Extramural Research and Training (T.T.S., K.G., J.J.H., C.P.L.), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709; and Duke University (A.M.B.), Durham, North Carolina 27708.
authors.forename: Thaddeus T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Schug
authors.forename: Ashley M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Blawas
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Jerrold J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Heindel
authors.forename: Cindy P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Lawler
mesh_terms: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000633:toxicity; D003634:DDT / Q000633:toxicity; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity; D010636:Phenols / Q000633:toxicity; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003634:DDT; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010575:Pesticides; D010636:Phenols; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds