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Duke University

Superfund Research Program

Developmental Neurotoxicants: Sensitization, Consequences, and Mechanisms

Project Leader: Theodore A. Slotkin (Duke University Medical Center)
Grant Number: P42ES010356
Funding Period: 2011-2017
View this project in the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT)

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Project Summary (2011-2017)

Developmental neurotoxicity is one of the most sensitive outcomes of environmental chemical exposures. In past grant periods, Dr. Slotkin and his team of researchers showed how exposures to otherwise unrelated agents can nevertheless produce similar outcomes because of convergence on adverse effects targeted towards specific neurotransmitter pathways, particularly acetylcholine (ACh) and serotonin (5HT). These are the same transmitters affected by common prenatal exposures to nicotine in maternal smoking, or dexamethasone as used in the therapy of preterm infants, raising the likelihood that these exposures create a subpopulation that will be sensitive to developmental neurotoxicants. In the current study, the researchers are examining the ability of such treatments to sensitize the developing brain to subsequent exposure to chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide, and then extend the approach to agents being evaluated in other projects and cores within the Center (polybrominated flame retardants, polyaromatic hydrocarbons). There are three aims:

  1. To determine how fetal exposure to nicotine, in a model simulating nicotine levels in human smokers, sensitizes the developing brain to subsequent postnatal chlorpyrifos exposure. Neurotransmitter pathways and behavioral outcomes will be assessed in the rat. Mechanisms are evaluated in three neural cell culture models (PCI2, cortical neurons, mixed neuronal and glial cultures).
  2. To determine how fetal exposure to dexamethasone, in a model simulating its use in preterm labor, sensitizes the developing brain to subsequent postnatal chlorpyrifos exposure. The same approach is used as in Aim 1: studies in rats to determine neurotransmitter pathways underlying effects on behavioral outcomes, along with cell culture models to identify cellular mechanisms of injury.
  3. To extend this approach to two suspected neurotoxicants of different classes identified in other projects within the Center. PBDE99 as a representative of the polybrominated flame retardants and benzo[a]pyrene as a representative of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
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