Heather B. Patisaul and Scott M. Belcher
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780199935734
- eISBN:
- 9780190678524
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199935734.001.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Behavioural Neuroendocrinology
Hormones play a foundational role in the sex-specific organization of the brain and, consequently, the complex behaviors they coordinate. Our world and bodies are becoming increasingly polluted with ...
More
Hormones play a foundational role in the sex-specific organization of the brain and, consequently, the complex behaviors they coordinate. Our world and bodies are becoming increasingly polluted with chemicals capable of interfering with hormone action and thus, possibly, our neural and mental health. If and how these endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) affect the development and function of the brain, and may be contributing to neural disorders that are rapidly rising in prevalence, are the central concerns of this book. This work also examines why even the concept of endocrine disruption is controversial in some circles; how differing definitions of endocrine disruption and “adverse” outcomes shape public policy; and where the current capacity to evaluate chemicals for safety in a regulatory context begins and ends. Fundamental concepts of the EDC hypothesis, including critical windows of exposure and sexually dimorphic effects, are explained. A historical perspective on how the endocrine disruption hypothesis emerged and a summary of how and to what degree prototypical EDCs affect human brain health are provided as a prelude to a critical evaluation of the evidence linking EDC exposures to human neurobehavioral disorders. The book concludes with suggestions for future research needs and a summary of emerging technology that might prove more capable of effectively evaluating existing and new chemicals for endocrine-disrupting properties. The impossibility of disentangling the “science” of EDC action on the brain and behavior from its public health policy implications and economic influence is comprehensively addressed throughout.Less
Hormones play a foundational role in the sex-specific organization of the brain and, consequently, the complex behaviors they coordinate. Our world and bodies are becoming increasingly polluted with chemicals capable of interfering with hormone action and thus, possibly, our neural and mental health. If and how these endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) affect the development and function of the brain, and may be contributing to neural disorders that are rapidly rising in prevalence, are the central concerns of this book. This work also examines why even the concept of endocrine disruption is controversial in some circles; how differing definitions of endocrine disruption and “adverse” outcomes shape public policy; and where the current capacity to evaluate chemicals for safety in a regulatory context begins and ends. Fundamental concepts of the EDC hypothesis, including critical windows of exposure and sexually dimorphic effects, are explained. A historical perspective on how the endocrine disruption hypothesis emerged and a summary of how and to what degree prototypical EDCs affect human brain health are provided as a prelude to a critical evaluation of the evidence linking EDC exposures to human neurobehavioral disorders. The book concludes with suggestions for future research needs and a summary of emerging technology that might prove more capable of effectively evaluating existing and new chemicals for endocrine-disrupting properties. The impossibility of disentangling the “science” of EDC action on the brain and behavior from its public health policy implications and economic influence is comprehensively addressed throughout.
Heather B. Patisaul and Scott M. Belcher
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780199935734
- eISBN:
- 9780190678524
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199935734.003.0005
- Subject:
- Psychology, Behavioural Neuroendocrinology
In this chapter, the current understanding of the mechanisms of endocrine disruption on the brain and nervous system are presented. Because the overwhelming majority of mechanistic studies on EDCs ...
More
In this chapter, the current understanding of the mechanisms of endocrine disruption on the brain and nervous system are presented. Because the overwhelming majority of mechanistic studies on EDCs have focused on the actions mediated by nuclear hormone receptors, this mechanisms is described in detail. The chapter also discusses the classic transcriptional mechanisms of steroid action and the impact of EDCs on rapid signaling (non-genomic) mechanisms. It presents an overview of the enzymes and pathways involved in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, which are critical to proper functioning of the HPA and HPG axis, and the neuroactive steroids synthesized and active in the mammalian brain. The potential for EDCs to alter metabolic enzymes, with a focus on possible targets in the metabolic blood-brain barrier, is presented as a potential, though largely unexplored, mode of EDC action in the brain.Less
In this chapter, the current understanding of the mechanisms of endocrine disruption on the brain and nervous system are presented. Because the overwhelming majority of mechanistic studies on EDCs have focused on the actions mediated by nuclear hormone receptors, this mechanisms is described in detail. The chapter also discusses the classic transcriptional mechanisms of steroid action and the impact of EDCs on rapid signaling (non-genomic) mechanisms. It presents an overview of the enzymes and pathways involved in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, which are critical to proper functioning of the HPA and HPG axis, and the neuroactive steroids synthesized and active in the mammalian brain. The potential for EDCs to alter metabolic enzymes, with a focus on possible targets in the metabolic blood-brain barrier, is presented as a potential, though largely unexplored, mode of EDC action in the brain.
Heather B. Patisaul and Scott M. Belcher
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780199935734
- eISBN:
- 9780190678524
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199935734.003.0003
- Subject:
- Psychology, Behavioural Neuroendocrinology
This chapter focuses on four of the best known and most well characterized EDCs: the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), diethylstilbestrol (DES), and bisphenol A ...
More
This chapter focuses on four of the best known and most well characterized EDCs: the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), diethylstilbestrol (DES), and bisphenol A (BPA) as prototypical EDCs. For each compound, historical information regarding use, sources of contamination, descriptions of toxic effects, nature of endocrine disruptive mechanisms, and detailed summaries of critical research findings are highlighted. Each of these chemicals are seminal illustrative examples of EDCs that came to be recognized, defined, and considered seriously by the general public and the regulatory community. Continuing work with these well-studied chemicals continues to reveal new mechanisms of EDC action and identifying new potential health outcomes and effects, and have become important “positive control chemicals” for toxicity and chemical testing strategies and identification of emerging EDCs.Less
This chapter focuses on four of the best known and most well characterized EDCs: the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), diethylstilbestrol (DES), and bisphenol A (BPA) as prototypical EDCs. For each compound, historical information regarding use, sources of contamination, descriptions of toxic effects, nature of endocrine disruptive mechanisms, and detailed summaries of critical research findings are highlighted. Each of these chemicals are seminal illustrative examples of EDCs that came to be recognized, defined, and considered seriously by the general public and the regulatory community. Continuing work with these well-studied chemicals continues to reveal new mechanisms of EDC action and identifying new potential health outcomes and effects, and have become important “positive control chemicals” for toxicity and chemical testing strategies and identification of emerging EDCs.
