Detoxifying a Toxic Environment: Investigating Sulforaphane-Mediated Prevention of Pollutant-Induced Neurodevelopmental Abnormalities

Unfortunately, pregnant women commonly have measurable concentrations of multiple environmental contaminants in their bodies, which increase the risk of developmental disorders. The ubiquitous nature of environmental contaminants makes it impossible to fully protect the developing fetus by asking mothers to avoid exposure. However, if we can augment the body's natural defense mechanisms we should be able to reduce exposure and cytotoxic effects of pollutants. Therefore, we need to research the mechanisms that have evolved to detoxify and prevent the effects of natural toxins. In the present study, we hypothesize that prenatal sulforaphane (SFN) supplementation will protect the developing fetal brain from a model toxicant and prevent the emergence of neurodevelopmental disorders. To address this hypothesis, we will use SFN supplementation to prevent neurodevelopmental alterations induced by the anti-epileptic, valproic acid. Valproic acid is a well-accepted model used to study the mechanisms that induce autism and thus is an ideal toxicant to cross with sulforaphane to test for mechanism of resilience. These treatments will be performed in parallel in human brain spheroids and mice. Through comparative analyses, we will assess SFN's ability to broadly prevent chemically-induced neurodevelopmental disruption.

Scholars @ ECU