Prenatal and Infant Exposure to an Environmental Pollutant Damages Brain Architecture and Plasticity

Publication Date: January 2007

Publisher: National Scientific Council on the Developing Child

Author(s):

Research Area: Population and demographics

Keywords: Toxic substances; Developmental neurobiology; Neonatal health

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

This study found that animals exposed to PCBs, an environmental pollutant, had impaired ability to recognize sounds of different frequencies, as well as impaired development of auditory circuits, a key mechanism for learning new skills.