Sulforaphane protects developing neural networks from VPA-induced synaptic alterations.

ABSTRACT: Prenatal brain development is particularly sensitive to chemicals that can disrupt synapse formation and cause neurodevelopmental disorders. In most cases, such chemicals increase cellular oxidative stress. For example, prenatal exposure to the anti-epileptic drug valproic acid (VPA), induces oxidative stress and synaptic alterations, promoting autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in humans and autism-like behaviors in rodents. Using VPA to model chemically induced ASD, we tested whether activation of cellular mechanisms that increase antioxidant gene expression would be sufficient to prevent VPA-induced synaptic alterations. As a master regulator of cellular defense pathways, the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) promotes expression of detoxification enzym

SUBMITTER: Bessetti RN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12339368 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature