| Loss of neuropathy target esterase in mice links organophosphate exposure to hyperactivity.
The Story
A missing link! How would exposure to pesticides (or related chemical
warfare agents) result in ADHD? Scientists have found an important enzyme
– and an important gene – whose activity is decreased with organophosphate
exposure. This same decrease is known to cause neurological symptoms of
hyperactivity in mammals. The enzyme “neuropathy target esterase”
or NTE is important in nerve and brain development. Levels of this enzyme
depend on the Nte gene. At the start of this study, some of the animals
had high levels of enzyme, some low. After exposure to pesticides, the
enzyme levels fell, and hyperactivity symptoms appeared. Those who started
with low levels became symptomatic at lower levels of pesticide exposure,
but with sufficient exposure, all could be affected. Organophosphate pesticides
are directly toxic to this important gene for neural development –
not something we want for our kids.
Notes
Other Major Recent Studies Summarized by Dr. Greene
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