HIGHER prenatal exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) is linked to widespread changes in brain structure, function and metabolism in children, along with poorer motor skills. These findings provide strong evidence for the long-term neurodevelopmental harm caused by prenatal CPF exposure.
Chlorpyrifos is a commonly used insecticide globally, but concerns have grown over its potential neurotoxicity, particularly during critical stages of brain development in the womb. Previous animal studies and limited human data suggested risk, but comprehensive human brain imaging data were lacking. This study aimed to clarify the impact of prenatal CPF exposure on brain development in school-aged children.
Researchers analysed data from 270 children aged 6 to 14 years (mean age 10.4) whose mothers were part of a pregnancy cohort from northern Manhattan and the South Bronx. Prenatal CPF levels had been measured at delivery. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, the team assessed cortical thickness, white matter volume, tissue microstructure, neuronal density and regional blood flow. Measures of motor speed and motor programming were also obtained. The study found that higher prenatal CPF exposure was significantly associated with thicker cortices in the frontal, temporal and posteroinferior brain regions, reduced white matter volume in these areas, altered microstructure indicating increased myelination in internal capsule tracts, lower blood flow throughout the brain and diminished neuronal density in deep white matter. Behaviourally, children with higher exposure showed significantly poorer fine motor skills (β = −0.30, P < .001) and motor programming ability (β = −0.27, P < .001).
These results suggest that prenatal CPF disrupts normal brain maturation by increasing oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to impaired mitochondrial function and oligodendrocyte development. Ongoing research should explore potential interventions to mitigate neurodevelopmental harm from environmental toxins like CPF.
Reference
Peterson BS et al. Brain Abnormalities in children exposed prenatally to the pesticide chlorpyrifos. JAMA Neurol. 2025;DOI:10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.2818.
