A study co-authored by GC-CPEH members Drs. Hallberg, Ameredes, Buffington, and Laezza was featured as an Environmental Factor “Paper of the Month” (April 2025). This NIEHS-funded mouse study found that maternal exposure to low levels of the common pesticide deltamethrin impaired brain activity and triggered autism-like behaviors in male offspring only. The research revealed changes at the cellular, circuit, and behavioral levels—including disrupted GABA signaling, reduced parvalbumin neuron activity, and social memory deficits. According to the authors, these findings suggest that early-life exposure to deltamethrin, even at levels considered safe, may contribute to autism development and highlight potential targets for future neurodevelopmental interventions.
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/factor/2025/4/papers/dert
Citation: Di Re J, Koff L, Avchalumov Y, Singh AK, Baumgartner TJ, Marosi M, Matz LM, Hallberg LM, Ameredes BT, Seeley EH, Buffington SA, Green TA, Laezza F. 2025. Environmental exposure to common pesticide induces synaptic deficit and social memory impairment driven by neurodevelopmental vulnerability of hippocampal parvalbumin interneurons. J Hazard Mater 485:136893.