Popular home chemicals may be harmful to brain health, according to a recent study.
An investigatory from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine led the investigation.
Studies imply that neurological disorders may be associated with chemicals present in commonplace products, such as hair products and furnishings.
According to a study that was just published this week in the journal Nature Neuroscience, oligodendrocytes in the brain are impacted by common household pollutants.
One particular kind of cell that assists in creating a protective sheath around nerve cells is the oligodendrocyte.
According to Paul Tesar, the primary investigator of the study and the director of the Institute for Glial Sciences at the School of Medicine, “loss of oligodendrocytes underlies multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases.” Tesar is the Dr. Donald and Ruth Weber Goodman Professor of Innovative Therapeutics.
“We now show that specific chemicals in consumer products can directly harm oligodendrocytes, representing a previously unrecognized risk factor for neurological disease.”
Researchers have found that although neurological issues affect millions of people, heredity alone accounts for a small percentage of instances.
For the investigation, more than 1,800 substances were examined by researchers.
Two types of substances were identified by them that specifically harmed oligodendrocytes: quaternary ammonium compounds and organophosphate flame retardants.
Numerous disinfectants and personal care items contain quaternary ammonium compounds.
The flame retardants organophosphate are found in a lot of furniture and electronics.
The researchers discovered that oligodendrocytes are killed by quaternary ammonium compounds, while they are kept from maturing by organophosphate flame retardants.
“We found that oligodendrocytes—but not other brain cells—are surprisingly vulnerable to quaternary ammonium compounds and organophosphate flame retardants,” said lead author Erin Cohn, a graduate student in the Medical Scientist Training Program at the School of Medicine.
The experts cautioned that more research is necessary to determine if human exposure to these substances has any impact on brain health.
Tesar stated, “Our findings suggest that more comprehensive scrutiny of the impacts of these common household chemicals on brain health is necessary,”