Research using mice suggests that some of the chemical agents intended to protect crops can trigger specific gene expressions in brain cells. These changes appear similar to the changes that take place in relation to both with autism and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
To assess the extent that certain classes of fungicides affect brain function, researchers exposed mouse neurons to some 300 different chemicals. Following this, the scientists undertook gene sequencing of the neurons and studied the patterns for “misregulatation.” This was a huge task, given the thousands of different expressions.
The genes studied were those that give rise to protein expression. The outcome was that there are six chemical groups that appeared to alter gene expression in a similar way. One group of chemicals caused a replication of what happens within the brain of people with certain neurodegenerative diseases as well as some conditions that fall on the autism spectrum disorder (it should be noted that not all forms of autism are considered to have a genetic basis.)
The types of commercial products of concern and which fall within the chemical group are: rotenone, pyridaben, and fenpyroximate. To add to this there is a new class of fungicides: pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin, fenamidone, famoxadone. azoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, and kresoxim-methyl.
In terms of what is happening, it is thought the chemicals disrupt the function of synapses in mature neurons. This disruptive effect impairs the movement of cells as the brain develops.
Commenting on the outcomes, lead researcher Dr. Mark Zylka stated in an interview with Laboratory Manager magazine: “We cannot say that these chemicals cause these conditions in people. Many additional studies will be needed to determine if any of these chemicals represent real risks to the human brain.” The big question is whether traces of the chemicals on fruits and vegetables cause any long-term damage.
Dr. Zylka plans to explore the effects further through additional studies.
The research was conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications. The research is titled “Identification of chemicals that mimic transcriptional changes associated with autism, brain aging and neurodegeneration.”
