Impact of glyphosate exposure on neuroplasticity - From mother to offspring

Glyphosate, a molecule used in many crop protection products, appears to have an impact on the behavior and nervous system of many animal species, including humans. Work performed in our and several other laboratories suggests that glyphosate, used alone or in commercial formulations, alters numerous markers of neurotransmission, particularly in the hippocampus, a brain region important for memory processes and emotion. While the majority of studies focus on the impact of this glyphosate on neurodevelopment, we focused on mothers, using a rodent model. The administration of relatively low doses of glyphosate in the diet had an impact on maternal behavior and neurocircuitry. Our work further suggests that the impact of glyphosate on the brain results from an alteration of the gut microbiota, but a direct effect on neurons or glial cells has not yet been ruled out. There is a need to better characterize whether and how glyphosate, alone or in commercial formulations, at environmental concentrations, could influence neurophysiology and behavior. The inclusion of females, including pregnant females, in experimental paradigms will enable better generalization of toxicology studies. (c) 2024 Soci & eacute;t & eacute; fran & ccedil;aise de nutrition. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.