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Review

Neurotoxic Effects of Pesticides: Implications for Neurodegenerative and Neurobehavioral Disorders

by
Alexandra Andreea Botnaru
1,2,
Ancuta Lupu
3,4,
Paula Cristina Morariu
3,5,*,
Alexandra Jităreanu
1,6,
Alin Horatiu Nedelcu
3,7,
Branco Adrian Morariu
3,
Emil Anton
3,
Maria Luisa Di Gioia
8,
Vasile Valeriu Lupu
3,4,
Oana Maria Dragostin
9,
Madalina Vieriu
1,10 and
Ionela Daniela Morariu
1,2
1
Faculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
2
Department of Environmental and Food Chemistry, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
3
Faculty of General Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
4
Department of Pediatrics, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
5
Department of Internal Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
6
Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
7
Department of Morpho-Functional Science I, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
8
Dipartimento di Farmacia, Salute e Scienze della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
9
Research Centre in the Medical-Pharmaceutical Field, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
10
Department of Analytical Chemistry, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Xenobiotics 2025, 15(3), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15030083
Submission received: 2 May 2025 / Revised: 27 May 2025 / Accepted: 28 May 2025 / Published: 1 June 2025
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Abstract

Pesticides play an essential role in modern agriculture, yet increasing evidence links their widespread use to neurotoxic effects that contribute to both neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. In recent years, new classes of pesticides such as neonicotinoids and pyrethroids have garnered attention due to their potential to disrupt neurodevelopment, even at low exposure levels. Furthermore, emerging evidence underscores the involvement of the gut–brain axis, neuroinflammation, and epigenetic modulation in pesticide-induced neuropathology. This review aims to synthesize these latest advancements while highlighting underexplored mechanisms, thereby offering a comprehensive and current perspective on pesticide-related neurotoxicity. Data from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) indicate that several food products include residues of pesticides recognized for their neurotoxic properties. Although environmental exposure levels are lower than those in occupational contexts, the magnitude and persistence of food-based exposure demand thorough evaluation. This review integrates evidence coming from epidemiological, in vivo and in vitro investigations, emphasizing the correlations between pesticide exposure and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cognitive deficits in children. Neurodevelopmental toxicity is especially alarming since symptoms may manifest subtly and with a delayed onset after early-life exposure, indicating the significant neurotoxic potential of pesticide residues and emphasizing the need for their careful evaluation in food safety assessments. Improved regulatory procedures and public health efforts are essential to reducing long-term brain damage.
Keywords: pesticide exposure; neurotoxicity; Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; RASFF; neurobehavioral disorder pesticide exposure; neurotoxicity; Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; RASFF; neurobehavioral disorder
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MDPI and ACS Style

Botnaru, A.A.; Lupu, A.; Morariu, P.C.; Jităreanu, A.; Nedelcu, A.H.; Morariu, B.A.; Anton, E.; Di Gioia, M.L.; Lupu, V.V.; Dragostin, O.M.; et al. Neurotoxic Effects of Pesticides: Implications for Neurodegenerative and Neurobehavioral Disorders. J. Xenobiotics 2025, 15, 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15030083

AMA Style

Botnaru AA, Lupu A, Morariu PC, Jităreanu A, Nedelcu AH, Morariu BA, Anton E, Di Gioia ML, Lupu VV, Dragostin OM, et al. Neurotoxic Effects of Pesticides: Implications for Neurodegenerative and Neurobehavioral Disorders. Journal of Xenobiotics. 2025; 15(3):83. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15030083

Chicago/Turabian Style

Botnaru, Alexandra Andreea, Ancuta Lupu, Paula Cristina Morariu, Alexandra Jităreanu, Alin Horatiu Nedelcu, Branco Adrian Morariu, Emil Anton, Maria Luisa Di Gioia, Vasile Valeriu Lupu, Oana Maria Dragostin, and et al. 2025. "Neurotoxic Effects of Pesticides: Implications for Neurodegenerative and Neurobehavioral Disorders" Journal of Xenobiotics 15, no. 3: 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15030083

APA Style

Botnaru, A. A., Lupu, A., Morariu, P. C., Jităreanu, A., Nedelcu, A. H., Morariu, B. A., Anton, E., Di Gioia, M. L., Lupu, V. V., Dragostin, O. M., Vieriu, M., & Morariu, I. D. (2025). Neurotoxic Effects of Pesticides: Implications for Neurodegenerative and Neurobehavioral Disorders. Journal of Xenobiotics, 15(3), 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15030083

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