Chapter 55 - Cell signaling mechanisms in developmental neurotoxicity

Abstract

The major mechanisms in cell signaling cascades by which neurotoxicants alter neural cell developmental processes during early life exposure are discussed in this chapter. It is important to note that many industrial chemicals, pesticides, and heavy metals are capable of inducing neurotoxicity in the human central nervous system (CNS), particularly in developing brains. Alterations in cell signaling pathways, perturbations of the genomic structure, and disruption of the communication process following exposure to neurotoxic compounds are known to cause transient or even permanent cellular functional impairments and are expected to lead to cell damage or cell death. The cell signaling mechanisms associated with developmental neurotoxicology are not well understood. A detailed understanding of the intricate cell signaling pathways pertaining to developmental neurotoxicity will provide new opportunities for development of rationale-based therapeutic strategies to treat various developmental disorders associated with environmental neurotoxicant exposure.