However, in mammals, the pre- and post-natal periods appear particularly critical for brain development, and stressor exposure at this stage can severely alter physiological, behavioural and cognitive functions during adolescence and adulthood (McEwen, 2003; Bale et al., 2010; Franklin et al., 2012; Brunton et al., 2014).
Theodore Slotkin at the Duke University SRP is studying the effects on brain development and metabolism of exposures in early life to widely used organophosphate (OP) pesticides.
Lead exposure can damage a child's brain development and alter behavior, and copper exposure can result in gastrointestinal issues and has been associated with kidney disease or liver failure.
So far, these scientists say, the long-term effects of such exposure on children's brain development and behavior appear relatively small.
Prenatal alcohol exposure leads to impaired fetal growth, brain development, and stillbirth.
"Exposure to nicotine permanently alters adolescent brain development, and that could make them more susceptible to addiction in other areas".
Exposure to ethanol during critical stages of brain development and maturation has adverse effects on behavioral and cognitive functions.
Accumulating evidence in experimental animals over the past three decades suggests that mammalian brain development and differentiation of the central nervous system are influenced by perinatal exposure to sex hormones.
Exposure to nicotine during pregnancy impacts on infant brain development and may lead to low birth weight and/or preterm delivery.
The present study is based on the assumptions that (1) radiation exposure during the incubation and the nestling period affects brain development, and that such young birds subsequently return to breed in contaminated areas when adults; (2) parental germline mutations affect brain development; or (3) maternal antioxidant transfer to eggs affect brain development [11].
