Plastic chemicals, lipidomics and child neurodevelopment

The rates of neurodevelopmental disorders are rising. It is estimated 1 in 70 people in Australia are on the autism spectrum. Neurodevelopmental disorders have multiple contributing factors such as genetic, biological and environmental. Understanding the role and mechanisms involved can accelerate public health translation. The prenatal and perinatal environment are critical periods that can affect many diseases in later life.

Plastic product chemicals, such as bisphenols and phthalates are ubiquitous in our environment. While some animal studies demonstrate that these chemicals at low doses act as endocrine disruptors, affecting steroid and lipid metabolism. Approximately 50% of the dry weight of the brain is composed of lipids. Advances in our ability to measure prenatal biomarkers and molecular pathways in birth cohorts can now accelerate the pace of public health translation. In particular, pregnancy provides a finite interventional time window as the effects on brain development can be lifelong.