2024 | S. Lefevre-Arbogast, Jade Chaker, Fabien Mercier, Robert Barouki, Xavier Coumoul, G. W. Miller, Arthur David, C. Samieri
The article discusses the role of the chemical exposome in neurodegenerative diseases, emphasizing the need for systematic approaches to understand how environmental chemicals contribute to conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. It highlights the importance of integrating chemical exposure data with genomic data to better understand disease mechanisms. The exposome concept encompasses all environmental exposures an individual faces throughout their life, including external exposures, biological responses, susceptibility factors, and biological alterations. The study reviews the evidence linking various chemicals, such as pesticides, metals, solvents, and particulate matter, to neurodegenerative diseases. It notes that while some chemicals have been well-studied, many others remain uncharacterized, and there is a need for more research to understand their potential impacts. The article also discusses the challenges in studying chemical exposures, including the complexity of mixture effects and the limitations of current methods. Advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) are highlighted as a promising tool for measuring the chemical exposome and identifying biomarkers related to neurodegenerative diseases. The study calls for further research to explore the chemical exposome in large-scale population studies and to develop more effective methods for assessing chemical exposures. The integration of exposome data with genetic and environmental factors is seen as crucial for advancing our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.The article discusses the role of the chemical exposome in neurodegenerative diseases, emphasizing the need for systematic approaches to understand how environmental chemicals contribute to conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. It highlights the importance of integrating chemical exposure data with genomic data to better understand disease mechanisms. The exposome concept encompasses all environmental exposures an individual faces throughout their life, including external exposures, biological responses, susceptibility factors, and biological alterations. The study reviews the evidence linking various chemicals, such as pesticides, metals, solvents, and particulate matter, to neurodegenerative diseases. It notes that while some chemicals have been well-studied, many others remain uncharacterized, and there is a need for more research to understand their potential impacts. The article also discusses the challenges in studying chemical exposures, including the complexity of mixture effects and the limitations of current methods. Advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) are highlighted as a promising tool for measuring the chemical exposome and identifying biomarkers related to neurodegenerative diseases. The study calls for further research to explore the chemical exposome in large-scale population studies and to develop more effective methods for assessing chemical exposures. The integration of exposome data with genetic and environmental factors is seen as crucial for advancing our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.