The thyroid has been shown to be incredibly important in brain development through a myriad of empirical studies demonstrating its involvement in the different aspects of brain growth stretching from the earliest of developmental periods — the gestation stage. Consequently, it is important to explore how the impact of the thyroid’s influence on the brain can be negatively implicated by certain factors, which can lead to maldevelopment and its resultant problems.
Mughal, Fini & Demeneix (2018) opted to conduct a review of current literature to outline the amassed understanding of how chemicals aptly termed “thyroid disrupting chemicals” (TDC) can implicate the development of the brain.
Notably, there are several classes of chemicals which have unique effects on the thyroid. The ones studied in this review included notable chemicals such as Bisphenol A, DDT, and PFCs.
Some common negative outcomes include lowered thyroid hormone levels, compromised neurodevelopment, and corresponding disabilities in one’s mental and behavioural health. The mechanisms these chemicals are involved in implicating thyroid effectiveness, are noted to be ones that interfere with thyroid signaling which is critical for the relaying of info to promote neural growth.
With alarming trends of neurodevelopmental diseases and IQ loss taking higher prominence in recent times, being able to pinpoint these disrupting chemicals allows us to understand a mechanism potentially responsible for these difficulties individuals face on an increasing basis.
This information will be incredibly valuable to apply to clinical work, perhaps in both buffering or curing diseases and disabilities that can present themselves in light of an implicated thyroid. A suitable approach, would be to retain great emphasis on iodine administration as support for an ailing thyroid system that requires the healthy signaling necessary for prosperous growth.
Several aspects of these results implicate our understanding — there is an array of levels and combinations of exposure experienced, alongside environmental variation. These factors would be of utmost importance for future exploration to refine our understanding of TDCs.
Source:
Mughal, B. B., Fini, J. B., & Demeneix, B. (2018). Thyroid disrupting chemicals and brain development: an update. Endocrine connections, EC-18.
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