Effects of Chemicals on Brain Health and Development
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 October 2025 | Viewed by 567
Special Issue Editor
Interests: effect of PFAS on brain development at multiple levels; molecular mechanisms of thyroid hormone action in the developing brain; endocrine disruption of brain development through thyroid/steroid hormone receptors; changes in neuronal plasticity and behavior by developmental exposure to environmental chemicals; effect of isoflavones on brain development and plasticity
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Regardless of whether they are prescribed medications, environmental chemicals, or addictive substances, maternal inappropriate ingestion or injection of chemicals during pregnancy or lactation can have adverse effects on the developing brain. During these periods, the blood–brain barrier is not yet fully functional, making the developing brain more vulnerable to such exposures. Furthermore, because brain development follows a tightly regulated temporal and spatial program, even minor disturbances during critical periods can lead to lifelong impairments. In addition, recent studies have also shown that paternal exposure to harmful chemicals may negatively affect offspring through epigenetic modifications in sperm. However, changes in behavior, learning and memory, neuronal plasticity, and gene expression caused by chemical exposure have not yet been fully investigated—partly due to the continual emergence of novel chemicals.
I invite submissions that address the neurotoxicity of chemicals, encompassing a wide range of endpoints—from behavioral studies to in vitro analyses. This Special Issue aims to provide readers with a deeper understanding of how chemical exposures disrupt brain development at multiple levels.
Prof. Dr. Noriyuki Koibuchi
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- brain development
- environmental chemicals
- prescribed medicines
- addictive drugs
- neuronal plasticity
- behavior
- learning and memory
- neurogenesis
- cell death (apoptosis and necrosis)
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