Environmental Impacts on Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Conditions

Course overview

Environmental exposures can negatively impact the developing nervous system and contribute to long-term or cumulative effects that increase the risk of neurodegenerative conditions with age. This course will explore how environmental factors, from air pollution to pesticides, play a role in the pathogenesis of both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions, as well as ongoing research into prevention and mitigation strategies. The first part of the course will discuss how perinatal exposure to environmental chemicals can disrupt normal neurodevelopment, emerging research tools in this area, and potential protective environmental factors, such as diet. The second half of the course will focus on the role of environmental exposures in the pathology of neurodegenerative conditions, including dementia and Parkinson's disease.