Neonatal exposure to the brominated flame retardant 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether causes altered susceptibility in the cholinergic transmitter system in the adult mouse.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as flame-retardants and have recently been shown to be increasing in the environment and in human mother's milk. We have recently reported that neonatal exposure to 2,2',4,4',5-pentaBDE (PBDE 99) can induce persistent aberrations in spontaneous behavior and also affect learning and memory functions in the adult animal. The present study indicates that the cholinergic system, in its developing stage, may be a target of and sensitive to PBDEs. Neonatal exposure of male NMRI mice on postnatal day 10, to 2,2',4,4',5-pentaBDE (8 mg/kg bw) was shown to alter the response to a cholinergic agent, nicotine, at an adult age. The nicotine-induced behavior test revealed a hypoactive response to nicotine in PBDE 99-treated animals, whereas the response of controls was an increased activity. These findings show similarities to observations made from neonatal exposure to PCBs and nicotine, compounds shown to affect cholinergic nicotinic receptors. This indicates that PBDE 99 can affect the cholinergic system and might thereby interact with other environmental toxicants.