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Cellular Mechanisms of Impaired Neurodevelopment Following Early Life Exposure to Air Pollution

Claire Thornton Reseach Image

UNICEF estimates that, world-wide, over 100 million infants are exposed to levels of pollution that exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended limits. London is recognised as one of the worst areas for air pollution in the UK, with levels of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide regularly exceeding WHO limits. There is growing concern regarding the effect of exposure during gestation and in infancy.

The overarching aim of this interdisciplinary project is to define mechanisms targeted by air pollution which impact brain development, by integrating neurocellular homeostasis, neuroinflammation, human neuroimaging and environmental data.

Disciplines and Techniques
Project supervisor/s
Dr. Claire Thornton
Claire's research interests centre on the molecular basis of neurocellular stress, and the impact of pathologies resulting in neural energy depletion
Royal Veterinary College
Professor Serena Counsell
Perinatal Imaging & Health
King's College University
References
Ambient Air Pollution—a Major Threat to Health and Climate. World Health Organization,
https://www.who.int/airpollution/ambient/en/
WHO
2019
Neurobehavioural effects of developmental toxicity
Grandjean P and Landrigan PJ
Lancet Neurol 13(3) 330-8
2014
Effects of air pollution on mitochondrial function, mitochondrial DNA methylation, and mitochondrial peptide expression
Breton CV et al
Mitochondrion 46 22-9
2019
The association between PM2.5 exposure and neurological disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Fu P et al
Sci Total Environ 655 1240-48
2019
Beyond infection – Maternal immune activation by environmental factors, microglial development, and relevance for autism spectrum disorders
Bilbo SD et al
Exp Neurol 299(Pt A) 241-51
2018