title: A global perspective on the influence of environmental exposures on the nervous system.
abstract: Economic transitions in the era of globalization warrant a fresh look at the neurological risks associated with environmental change. These are driven by industrial expansion, transfer and mobility of goods, climate change and population growth. In these contexts, risk of infectious and non-infectious diseases are shared across geographical boundaries. In low- and middle-income countries, the risk of environmentally mediated brain disease is augmented several fold by lack of infrastructure, poor health and safety regulations, and limited measures for environmental protection. Neurological disorders may occur as a result of direct exposure to chemical and/or non-chemical stressors, including but not limited to, ultrafine particulate matters. Individual susceptibilities to exposure-related diseases are modified by genetic, epigenetic and metagenomic factors. The existence of several uniquely exposed populations, including those in the areas surrounding the Niger Delta or north western Amazon oil operations; those working in poorly regulated environments, such as artisanal mining industries; or those, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, relying on cassava as a staple food, offers invaluable opportunities to advance the current understanding of brain responses to environmental challenges. Increased awareness of the brain disorders that are prevalent in low- and middle-income countries and investments in capacity for further environmental health-related research are positive steps towards improving human health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Oregon Health &Science University, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA.|National Institute of Biomedical Research, 1197 Kinshasa I, Congo.|Department of Neurology, University of Kinshasa, 825 Kinshasa XI, Congo.
authors.forename: Desire
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tshala-Katumbay
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mwanza
authors.affiliation: Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa 52242, USA.|Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Diane S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Rohlman
authors.affiliation: G. H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Gladys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maestre
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology and Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60020, Brazil.
authors.forename: Reinaldo B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Oriá
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000639:trends; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D000067896:Industrial Development; D038622:Internationality; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology