Journal article
A global perspective on the influence of environmental exposures on the nervous system
Nature (London), Vol.527(7578), pp.S187-S192
11/19/2015
DOI: 10.1038/nature16034
PMCID: PMC4772865
PMID: 26580326
Abstract
Economic transitions in the era of globalization warrant a fresh look at the neurological risks associated with environmental change. These are driven by industrial expansion, transfer and mobility of goods, climate change and population growth. In these contexts, risk of infectious and non-infectious diseases are shared across geographical boundaries. In low- and middle-income countries, the risk of environmentally mediated brain disease is augmented several fold by lack of infrastructure, poor health and safety regulations, and limited measures for environmental protection. Neurological disorders may occur as a result of direct exposure to chemical and/or non-chemical stressors, including but not limited to, ultrafine particulate matters. Individual susceptibilities to exposure-related diseases are modified by genetic, epigenetic and metagenomic factors. The existence of several uniquely exposed populations, including those in the areas surrounding the Niger Delta or north western Amazon oil operations; those working in poorly regulated environments, such as artisanal mining industries; or those, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, relying on cassava as a staple food, offers invaluable opportunities to advance the current understanding of brain responses to environmental challenges. Increased awareness of the brain disorders that are prevalent in low- and middle-income countries and investments in capacity for further environmental health-related research are positive steps towards improving human health.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A global perspective on the influence of environmental exposures on the nervous system
- Creators
- Desire Tshala-Katumbay - Department of Neurology, University of Kinshasa, 825 Kinshasa XI, CongoJean-Claude Mwanza - Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USADiane S Rohlman - Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USAGladys Maestre - G. H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USAReinaldo B Oriá - Department of Morphology and Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60020, Brazil
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Nature (London), Vol.527(7578), pp.S187-S192
- DOI
- 10.1038/nature16034
- PMID
- 26580326
- PMCID
- PMC4772865
- NLM abbreviation
- Nature
- ISSN
- 0028-0836
- eISSN
- 1476-4687
- Publisher
- England
- Grant note
- P30 ES005605 / NIEHS NIH HHS R21 TW010004 / FIC NIH HHS R01 ES022163 / NIEHS NIH HHS R01 ES019841 / NIEHS NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/19/2015
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health; International Programs; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9983997329802771
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