Polybrominated diphenyl ethers disturb neural development in mice and men

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent and bioaccumulative flame retardants that are of concern as they are ubiquitous and potentially toxic; and they have been found at rapidly rising levels in humans during the past few decades. The greatest concern of PBDEs for potential adverse health effects relates to their developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). Various PBDE congeners caused behavioral alterations like hyperactivity and disrupted performance in learning and memory tests in perinatally exposed mice and rats. To facilitate hazard assessment for humans, the impact of PBDEs on human and murine neurodevelopment in vitro and the mechanisms underlying these changes were investigated.