Pesticides, cognitive functions and dementia: A review.

Pesticides, cognitive functions and dementia: A review. Toxicol Lett. 2020 Mar 04;: Authors: Aloizou AM, Siokas V, Vogiatzi C, Peristeri E, Docea A, Petrakis D, Provatas A, Folia V, Chalkia C, Vinceti M, Wilks M, Izotov BN, Tsatsakis A, Bogdanos DP, Dardiotis E Abstract Pesticides are widely-used chemicals commonly applied in agriculture for the protection of crops from pests. Depending on the class of pesticides, the specific substances may have a specific set of adverse effects on humans, especially in cases of acute poisoning. In past years, evidence regarding sequelae of chronic, low-level exposure has been accumulating. Cognitive impairment and dementia heavily affect a person's quality of life and scientific data has been hinting towards an association between them and antecedent chronic pesticide exposure. Here, we reviewed animal and human studies exploring the association between pesticide exposure, cognition and dementia. Additionally, we present potential mechanisms through which pesticides may act neurotoxically and lead to neurodegeneration. Study designs rarely presented homogeneity and the estimation of the exposure to pesticides has been most frequently performed without measuring the synergic effects and the possible interactions between the toxicants within mixtures, and also overlooking low exposures to environmental toxicants. It is possible that a Real-Life Risk Simulation approach would represent a robust altern...
Source: Toxicology Letters - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Toxicol Lett Source Type: research