Neurotoxicity of prenatal carbon monoxide exposure

Fechter, LD

HERO ID

730530

Reference Type

Technical Report

Year

1987

Language

English

PMID

3269253

HERO ID 730530
Year 1987
Title Neurotoxicity of prenatal carbon monoxide exposure
Authors Fechter, LD
Publisher Text Health Effects Institute
City Cambridge, MA
Page Numbers 3-22
Abstract Despite the very wide recognition that carbon monoxide (CO) is a significant neurotoxicant, the level at which subtle effects occur, and the existence of sensitive periods in development for such toxicity, has been undetermined. In terms of risk to the fetus, a potentially susceptible sub-population, there is concern, first, that the level of exposure at which neurotoxicity occurs may be different from the adult, and second, that the site of toxic action and subsequent neurotoxic effects of CO may be different in the immature and mature brain. The investigator studied the susceptibility of the developing brain to moderate levels of CO maintained chronically through the period of neuronal proliferation, and into the period of synapse formation. Carbon monoxide may be thought of as both a prototypical hypoxic agent, and a significant public health hazard in its own right. Carbon monoxide is a ubiquitous toxic agent that accounts for large numbers of deaths and significant morbidity in human populations. Subtle neurotoxic effects of this agent may be even more common, but they may go largely undetected, or fail to be associated with CO exposure. We have shown that prenatal CO exposure at moderate levels can produce significant neurotoxic effects in rats. The data obtained from the cerebellum and neostriatum, in particular, suggest that chronic, moderate perinatal CO exposure may disrupt neuronal proliferation and, perhaps, may disrupt certain markers for neurochemical transmission.
Pmid 3269253
Report Number Report no. 12
Url http://pubs.healtheffects.org/view.php?id=246
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Is Qa No
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