A potential link between prenatal exposure to plastics and autism

A recent Australian study raises concerns about a potential link between prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a component of plastics, and autism in boys. This research, conducted by scientists from the Florey Neuroscience Centre, found that boys born to mothers with high levels of BPA late in pregnancy are more likely to develop an autism spectrum disorder.



Researchers analyzed data from two large birth cohorts, one in Australia (Barwon Infant Study) and another in the United States (Columbia Center for Children's Health and Environment). They discovered that boys with low levels of aromatase, an enzyme vital for converting testosterone into neuroestrogen in the brain, are particularly vulnerable to the disruptive effects of BPA. Indeed, boys from mothers with high urinary levels of BPA had 3.5 times the risk of showing autism signs by age 2, and 6 times the chance of having a confirmed diagnosis by age 11.

This study, published in Nature Communications, also explored the molecular mechanism underlying this association. Laboratory work showed that BPA suppresses aromatase activity, leading to behavioral and neurological changes in male mice that could correspond to an autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Wah Chin Boon, who took part in this research, emphasizes that this is the first time a biological pathway explaining the link between autism and BPA has been identified.

Despite these findings, BPA remains present in many consumer products, even though its use has been banned in food containers in France since 2015. Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby reminds us that this chemical, along with other endocrine disruptors, is pervasive and difficult to avoid. We are exposed to it through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact, making it a major public health concern.

To mitigate the potential effects of BPA, the Florey team is exploring solutions. Dr. Boon mentions a fatty acid, 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid, which has shown encouraging signs in reversing autism-like traits in mice exposed to BPA. Further research is needed to determine if this approach could be applicable to humans.