Abstract
The brain's formation during development is dependent on activity-dependent processes such as stem cell differentiation and synaptic pruning. Environmental chemical exposure during these critical periods can have long-lasting impacts on brain circuit function, even at low doses considered safe in adults. In this talk, we will present our work using VSD imaging to detect the impacts of chemical exposure during development and discuss the challenges in this assessment.We will introduce our method for quantitatively detecting changes in hippocampal neural circuit function, a key brain region involved in learning and memory. Our findings on the effects of bisphenol-A (BPA) and related substances (BBMTBP and MBMTBP) on the hippocampal trisynaptic response suggest that exposure to BBMTBP and MBMTBP poses higher risks to hippocampal neural circuit function than exposure to BPA.Moreover, we will present our results using VSD imaging to quantify other brain areas, including the anterior cingulate cortex, which plays a crucial role in many neuropsychiatric diseases. Our findings establish the usefulness of VSD imaging in assessing low-dose chemical exposure during critical periods of brain development.Despite the challenges in detecting the impacts of developmental chemical exposure, VSD imaging provides a promising avenue for future research. We will discuss future directions for improving VSD imaging techniques and understanding the mechanisms underlying the impacts of chemical exposure on neural circuit function during development. Our work underscores the need for continued research in this area to better understand the impacts of environmental chemicals on brain development and function.
