Neurotoxicity Following Exposure to Chlorpyrifos

Abstract

Neurotoxicity occurs when exposure to a biological, chemical, or physical agent, especially a neurotoxin, alters the normal activity of the nervous system in a way that results in permanent or reversible damage to neurons and nerve tissue and disrupts the functioning of the brain and nervous system. Chlorpyrifos is a broad-spectrum organophosphorus insecticide that has been used worldwide for more than 50 years and can damage the nervous system of insects by creating neurotoxicity. Epidemiological studies show that exposure to chlorpyrifos is associated with neurological disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Chlorpyrifos can also induce behavioral and developmental abnormalities, neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, hematologic malignancies, histopathological abnormalities, immunotoxicity, and oxidative stress. The mechanism of action of chlorpyrifos involves blocking the active sites of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, which leads to adverse effects on the nervous system. The molecular mechanism of neuronal damage created in the nervous system is not fully understood. The present study deals with neurotoxicity caused by exposure to chlorpyrifos.