Study reveals PFAS chemicals alter gene expression in brain cells
neurosciencenews.com — January 6, 2025, 10:01 PM UTC
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have found that per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) can change the expression of over 700 genes in brain-like cells, which may lead to neurotoxicity. Among the six PFAS tested, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) had the most significant impact. PFOA decreased the expression of genes important for neuron survival and increased those linked to cell death. Eleven genes consistently responded to all PFAS tested, suggesting they could serve as markers for PFAS exposure. The study highlights that PFAS vary in their biological effects, indicating the need for individual assessments of each compound. This research aims to help identify safer alternatives to harmful PFAS.