Executive Function following Developmental Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): What Animal Models Have Told Us

摘要: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were first manufactured in the 1930s for industrial use. While they eventually banned 1970s, their extreme stability allowed them to bioaccumulate over time, such that remain one of most prevalent environmental contaminants. A large number research studies have focused on neurotoxic properties PCBs. Interpreting and synthesizing results these is challenging because special consideration must be given (a) class PCB congeners examined, (b) age at time exposure, (c) specific neurological or behavioral function assessed. Nevertheless, animal models developmental exposure contributed significantly our understanding cognitive domains affected by exposure. In particular, a well-controlled experiments using assessed function, specifically executive following monkeys rodents. Generally speaking, functions are higher-order processes involved planning, sequencing, control goal-directed behaviors. Specifically, include formulating strategies as well initiating, inhibiting, shifting responding when necessary.This chapter reviews examining animals The then compared contrasted with relevant epidemiological tasks tap similar functional domains. To provide some background, different classes (coplanar vs. ortho-substituted) reviewed first. brief summary literature coplanar during development included, but PCBs will not discussed detail appear relatively minor effects function. remainder focuses single ortho-substituted mixtures.