How forever chemicals target developing male brains — and what this means for their autism risk
Theories suggest this gender gap may be because male brains are more sensitive to changes during development, and girls might be better at hiding the signs or showing them in different ways.
Now, a new study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience has uncovered a shocking link between PFAS — also known as 'forever chemicals — and autism in men.
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3 A new study has uncovered a shocking link between PFAS — also known as 'forever chemicals — and autism in men.
mavoimages – stock.adobe.com
Scientists gave pregnant mice a type of short-chain PFAS called PFHxA — a chemical that's still widely used even though it's been restricted in some parts of the world.
The mothers were fed small doses, similar to what people might come across in their daily lives, and when their pups grew up, the male mice showed clear changes in behavior.
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They were less active, more anxious and had trouble with memory, while the female mice didn't seem affected at all.
'Although these effects were mild, finding behavioral effects only in males was reminiscent of the many neurodevelopmental disorders that are male-biased,' Ania Majewska, a neuroscience professor at the University of Rochester, said in a press release.
'This finding suggests that the male brain might be more vulnerable to environmental insults during neurodevelopment.'
3 Neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD disproportionately affect males, with some estimates placing the ratio of boy versus girl diagnoses at 4:1.
Vitalii Vodolazskyi – stock.adobe.com
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Until recently, PFHxA was considered a 'safer' replacement for older, more notorious forever chemicals that have been phased out.
But this study suggests we may have just swapped one problem for another — especially when it comes to protecting developing male brains.
'Finding that developmental exposure to PFHxA has long-term behavioral consequences in a mammalian model is concerning when considering short-chain PFAS are thought to be safer alternatives to the legacy PFAS that have been phased-out of production,' study lead author Elizabeth Plunk said.
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'Understanding the impacts of PFHxA on the developing brain is critical when proposing regulations around this chemical. Hopefully, this is the first of many studies evaluating the neurotoxicity of PFHxA.'
3 There are over 4,700 PFAS, which are used to make items resistant to water, grease and stains.
artursfoto – stock.adobe.com
The findings, while done on mice, suggest we need to take a closer scientific look at the link between forever chemicals and autism.
'This work points to the need for more research in short-chain PFAS. To our knowledge, PFHxA has not been evaluated for developmental neurobehavioral toxicity in a rodent model,' said Majewska. '
'Future studies should evaluate the cellular and molecular effects of PFHxA, including cell-type specific effects, in regions associated with motor, emotional/fear, and memory domains to elucidate mechanistic underpinnings.'
PFAS — synthetic substances that persist in the environment and human body — have been likened to 'slow poisons' that may increase the risk of certain cancers, fertility troubles, liver damage and developmental delays in children.
Advertisement
There are over 4,700 PFAS, which are used to make items resistant to water, grease and stains.
They can be found in food packaging, cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam, certain personal care products and — most recently — beer.
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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
How forever chemicals target developing male brains — and what this means for their autism risk
Neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD disproportionately affect males, with some estimating boys are four times as likely to be diagnosed as girls. Theories suggest this gender gap may be because male brains are more sensitive to changes during development, and girls might be better at hiding the signs or showing them in different ways. Now, a new study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience has uncovered a shocking link between PFAS — also known as 'forever chemicals — and autism in men. Scientists gave pregnant mice a type of short-chain PFAS called PFHxA — a chemical that's still widely used even though it's been restricted in some parts of the world. The mothers were fed small doses, similar to what people might come across in their daily lives, and when their pups grew up, the male mice showed clear changes in behavior. They were less active, more anxious and had trouble with memory, while the female mice didn't seem affected at all. 'Although these effects were mild, finding behavioral effects only in males was reminiscent of the many neurodevelopmental disorders that are male-biased,' Ania Majewska, a neuroscience professor at the University of Rochester, said in a press release. 'This finding suggests that the male brain might be more vulnerable to environmental insults during neurodevelopment.' Until recently, PFHxA was considered a 'safer' replacement for older, more notorious forever chemicals that have been phased out. But this study suggests we may have just swapped one problem for another — especially when it comes to protecting developing male brains. 'Finding that developmental exposure to PFHxA has long-term behavioral consequences in a mammalian model is concerning when considering short-chain PFAS are thought to be safer alternatives to the legacy PFAS that have been phased-out of production,' study lead author Elizabeth Plunk said. 'Understanding the impacts of PFHxA on the developing brain is critical when proposing regulations around this chemical. Hopefully, this is the first of many studies evaluating the neurotoxicity of PFHxA.' The findings, while done on mice, suggest we need to take a closer scientific look at the link between forever chemicals and autism. 'This work points to the need for more research in short-chain PFAS. To our knowledge, PFHxA has not been evaluated for developmental neurobehavioral toxicity in a rodent model,' said Majewska. ' 'Future studies should evaluate the cellular and molecular effects of PFHxA, including cell-type specific effects, in regions associated with motor, emotional/fear, and memory domains to elucidate mechanistic underpinnings.' PFAS — synthetic substances that persist in the environment and human body — have been likened to 'slow poisons' that may increase the risk of certain cancers, fertility troubles, liver damage and developmental delays in children. There are over 4,700 PFAS, which are used to make items resistant to water, grease and stains. They can be found in food packaging, cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam, certain personal care products and — most recently — beer.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Can Gut Bacteria Be The Key To Banishing Forever Chemicals?
Researchers at the University of Cambridge say they have identified a family of bacterial species that can help remove toxic PFAS, better known as 'forever chemicals.' PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) have been shown to cause health issues like decreased fertility, cardiovascular disease, developmental delays in children, and increased risk of certain cancers. Now, researchers say a microbe naturally found in the human gut may be able to absorb these forever chemicals and help remove them from the body. The researchers introduced nine of these bacterial species into the guts of mice in an attempt to 'humanize' the rodents' microbiomes. They found that the bacteria quickly absorbed PFAS that were consumed by the mice, which were then expelled in their feces. Notably, as more and more PFAS were introduced, the microbes worked harder, consistently helping withdraw the same percentage of the chemicals. Within just minutes of PFAS exposure, the bacteria accumulated between 25% and 74% of the chemicals. While the findings are promising, the results have yet to be verified in humans. The researchers aim to utilize the study's findings to develop probiotic dietary supplements that can enhance the levels of these microbes in the human gut. In May, The Dallas Express reported that the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would roll back limitations on certain PFAS in drinking water. Standards for PFOA and PFOS, two primary subtypes of PFAS, will remain at four parts per trillion; however, utilities will be given an extension to 2031 to comply with the limitation. Despite the health risks associated with PFAS, they remain ubiquitous in human environments, found in a wide range of products, including food packaging, waterproof clothing, and non-stick pans. Since they take thousands of years to break down, these forever chemicals continue to accumulate in both the environment and human bodies. 'Given the scale of the problem of PFAS 'forever chemicals', particularly their effects on human health, it's concerning that so little is being done about removing these from our bodies,' said Dr. Kiran Patil, of the University of Cambridge's MRC Toxicology Unit and senior author of the report.
New York Post
14 hours ago
- New York Post
How forever chemicals target developing male brains — and what this means for their autism risk
Neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD disproportionately affect males, with some estimating boys are four times as likely to be diagnosed as girls. Theories suggest this gender gap may be because male brains are more sensitive to changes during development, and girls might be better at hiding the signs or showing them in different ways. Now, a new study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience has uncovered a shocking link between PFAS — also known as 'forever chemicals — and autism in men. Advertisement 3 A new study has uncovered a shocking link between PFAS — also known as 'forever chemicals — and autism in men. mavoimages – Scientists gave pregnant mice a type of short-chain PFAS called PFHxA — a chemical that's still widely used even though it's been restricted in some parts of the world. The mothers were fed small doses, similar to what people might come across in their daily lives, and when their pups grew up, the male mice showed clear changes in behavior. Advertisement They were less active, more anxious and had trouble with memory, while the female mice didn't seem affected at all. 'Although these effects were mild, finding behavioral effects only in males was reminiscent of the many neurodevelopmental disorders that are male-biased,' Ania Majewska, a neuroscience professor at the University of Rochester, said in a press release. 'This finding suggests that the male brain might be more vulnerable to environmental insults during neurodevelopment.' 3 Neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD disproportionately affect males, with some estimates placing the ratio of boy versus girl diagnoses at 4:1. Vitalii Vodolazskyi – Advertisement Until recently, PFHxA was considered a 'safer' replacement for older, more notorious forever chemicals that have been phased out. But this study suggests we may have just swapped one problem for another — especially when it comes to protecting developing male brains. 'Finding that developmental exposure to PFHxA has long-term behavioral consequences in a mammalian model is concerning when considering short-chain PFAS are thought to be safer alternatives to the legacy PFAS that have been phased-out of production,' study lead author Elizabeth Plunk said. Advertisement 'Understanding the impacts of PFHxA on the developing brain is critical when proposing regulations around this chemical. Hopefully, this is the first of many studies evaluating the neurotoxicity of PFHxA.' 3 There are over 4,700 PFAS, which are used to make items resistant to water, grease and stains. artursfoto – The findings, while done on mice, suggest we need to take a closer scientific look at the link between forever chemicals and autism. 'This work points to the need for more research in short-chain PFAS. To our knowledge, PFHxA has not been evaluated for developmental neurobehavioral toxicity in a rodent model,' said Majewska. ' 'Future studies should evaluate the cellular and molecular effects of PFHxA, including cell-type specific effects, in regions associated with motor, emotional/fear, and memory domains to elucidate mechanistic underpinnings.' PFAS — synthetic substances that persist in the environment and human body — have been likened to 'slow poisons' that may increase the risk of certain cancers, fertility troubles, liver damage and developmental delays in children. Advertisement There are over 4,700 PFAS, which are used to make items resistant to water, grease and stains. They can be found in food packaging, cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam, certain personal care products and — most recently — beer.
