PFAS chemicals and children's brain development
Defining the neurotoxic and neurodevelopmental health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
This project looks at how common PFAS chemicals get into developing brain cells and whether early exposure can affect learning and behavior in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258508 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a parent's view, the team is studying PFAS — chemicals found in many people's blood and water — to see how they enter brain cells and change brain development. They will run cell experiments to test whether transporter proteins like CD36 help PFAS get into cells, and use zebrafish embryos to see if early exposure leads to lasting learning or behavior changes. The researchers will connect those lab results to concerns about autism and ADHD to better understand possible links. Findings will help explain whether and how early-life PFAS exposure could contribute to neurodevelopmental problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and families worried about autism, ADHD, or with known early-life PFAS exposure are the group most directly relevant to the project's aims.
Not a fit: Adults without developmental exposure in early life or people whose conditions are unrelated to neurodevelopmental disorders may not receive direct benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could explain how PFAS harm the developing brain and help guide prevention, exposure reduction, or new intervention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Human studies have produced mixed results, but animal and cell-model work (including zebrafish) has shown PFAS can accumulate and affect learning, so this approach builds on emerging but not yet settled evidence.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Atilla-Gokcumen, Gunes Ekin — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Atilla-Gokcumen, Gunes Ekin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.