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Environmental Chemicals and Aging

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Innovations in agriculture and medicine as well as industrial and domestic technologies are essential for the growing and aging global population. These advances generally require the use of novel natural or synthetic chemical agents with the potential to affect human health. Here, we attempt to highlight environmental chemicals and select drugs with the potential to exacerbate aging by directly affecting molecular aging cascades focusing particular attention on the brain. Finally, we call attention to some potential fruitful areas of research, particularly with advanced molecular profiling that could aid in prevention or mitigation of environmental chemical toxic influences in the periphery and the brain.

Recent Findings

We briefly summarize new research and highlight a recent study designed to prospectively identify agrochemicals with the potential to induce neurological diseases and place these discoveries into the already rich neurodegeneration and aging literature.

Summary

Collectively, the research reviewed briefly here highlight chemicals with the true potential to accelerate aging, particularly in the brain, by eliciting elevated free radical stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. We make general recommendations about improved methodological approaches toward identification and regulation of chemicals that are gerontogenic to the brain.

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Correspondence to Brandon L. Pearson.

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Brandon L. Pearson and Dan Ehninger declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not include data from any original/unpublished studies. However, this review refers to published work by both authors which was performed under appropriate institutional ethical approval.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Environment and Aging

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Pearson, B.L., Ehninger, D. Environmental Chemicals and Aging. Curr Envir Health Rpt 4, 38–43 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-017-0131-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-017-0131-6

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