Aurora magazine

According to a team from the University of Calgary, prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) could alter brain development. Even the levels considered safe, would instead cause behavioral abnormalities in adulthood.

Bisphenol A is a chemical substance contained in a large number of commonly used objects. It is used for water bottles, paper, ready-made food containers. It is known that in large quantities it interferes with the endocrine system. According to some studies, it would have negative effects on hormones even in smaller quantities. For the first time, researchers highlight a possible link between BPA and brain abnormalities.

The research summarizes the studies carried out on animal models and human beings. A discomforting picture emerges on the effects of prenatal exposure to the substance. Among the children most exposed to bisphenol A in the womb, in fact, there would be a high rate of behavioral problems. Researchers therefore suspect that the substance permanently alters fetal brain development.

To date, global agencies consider the substance to be safe. If the BPA is really so toxic, where are the alleged brain damage? This study is the first to have shown the nature of the anomalies and to have evidenced a possible link with the substance. Embryos exposed to bisphenol A develop more neurons than unexposed ones.

Brain development follows a series of distinct steps. An early development of certain neurons means that they will migrate to the wrong areas of the brain. They will create wrong connections and cause long-term consequences. Prenatal exposure to BPA therefore appears to have permanent effects, similar in guinea pigs and in humans. At least that's what the study says. To confirm this, further targeted research will be required.

Source: endocrine.org

A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) has identified a link between prenatal exposure to smog and brain abnormalities. According to the researchers, breathing much smog during pregnancy could cause alterations in the fetus. These would result in cognitive difficulties during childhood.

The study showed for the first time a link between smog and difficulty in inhibiting the response. Prenatal exposure to fine particles seems to be connected to a thinner cortex. Here are our inhibitory brakes and the ability to control impulses. The anomalies in those areas can be linked to attention deficit and predisposition to addictions.

The researchers followed a group of Dutch pregnant women and then their 783 children. They measured air pollution levels at home and in areas frequented by expectant mothers. In particular, they focused on the levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particles. Between 6 and 10 years, they also monitored children's brain development using imaging techniques.

Combining the collected data, the researchers found a link between the levels of fine dust and the presence of anomalies. Most women have spent gestation in areas considered healthy. Nevertheless, even the average levels have proved to be harmful to the fetus. According to the researchers, this should push us to review the current levels of air pollution in our cities.

Source: eurekalert.org

Fetal alcohol syndrome or FAS is a disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. It includes a large number of symptoms, of varying severity and of both physical and behavioral nature. The medical literature only reports it since the 70s of the last century, so it is a pathology recognized only recently.

According to studies, the female body contains less water than the male body. For this reason, women tend to spend more time disposing of ingested alcohol. The already long times are still dilated in case of pregnancy. In this case, the alcohol and the products of its metabolization reach the fetus through the placenta. The fetus is unable to metabolize alcohol and keeps it in circulation for longer.

The higher the consumption of maternal alcohol, the greater the risks to which the fetus is exposed. Nevertheless, even sporadic consumption can be harmful, influencing the different stages of fetal development. When consumed in the various moments of gestation, alcohol provokes:

• in the 4th week, abnormal development of the skull;
• in the first trimester, facial dysmorphologies, brain problems, birth defects;
• in the second quarter, growth deficit.

The term fetal alcohol syndrome is also used for partial manifestations of alcohol consumption. In most cases, these predict abnormalities in physical development that make the diagnosis immediate. FAS sufferers have creases in the corners of the eyes, a short, flat nose, squint, long forehead and sting, maxillary and mandibular hypoplasia.

FAS is also linked to mental and behavioral problems, such as mental retardation, attention disorder and hyperactivity. Some individuals present only these symptoms, which makes the diagnosis more difficult.

Source: epicentro.iss.it

Phase 3 of the nolasiban clinical trials is giving encouraging results. This is reported by the biopharmaceutical company ObsEva, which developed the drug for in vitro fertilization procedures. According to the researchers, the drug is effective and well tolerated by the body.

The trial involved 778 patients who were undergoing in vitro fertilization cycles. Half of them received 900 mg of nolasiban, the other half received a placebo. The assumption took place four hours before the embryo was transferred to the uterus. The assignment of the drug or placebo was completely random.

The first important step was ultrasound 10 weeks after implantation. Women who received the drug showed a 7.1% higher pregnancy rate than the other group. In fact, 35.6% of these were pregnant against 28.5% of the other group. This data is not only significant from a statistical point of view, but also from a clinical point of view.

According to the researchers, the discovery represents a major step forward for in vitro fertilization procedures. The practice, which they called IMPLANT2, could be a real revolution. Before the thing is confirmed, however, it will be necessary to wait for further data.

The company will release the rest of the data in 2019. The new report will include the number of live births and data concerning the health status of children. Only then, will it be possible to determine whether the procedure and the drug are safe for the woman and her offspring.

Source: fiercebiotech.com