• Drs. P.C.G. Nijssen (St. Elisabeth Hospital Tilburg),
• Prof. dr. ir. J. Kromhout (IRAS dept. of Environmental Epidemiology).

The aim of this project is to gain insight in the link between pesticide exposure and neurodegeneration as seen in Parkinson's disease.

Specific cytotoxicity of certain pesticides will be assessed in different cell lines. Effects of a selection of these compounds on activation/inhibition of postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptors and presynaptic neurotransmitter release mechanisms will be investigated. Fluorescent intracellular calcium imaging techniques will be combined with electrophysiological techniques like voltage clamp and amperometry to assess the mechanisms of toxicity.

A pesticide is a compound or mixture of compounds used to kill or repel unwanted species like insects, moulds, rodents or plants. Although there are benefits to the use of pesticides, some are able to exert unwanted toxic effects on plants, animals or humans. Pesticides belong to the group of most abundant environmental toxicants of which some are persistent. Due to their abundance, persistence and widespread use, humans are inevitably exposed to these compounds in various ways and at all life stages, including vulnerable developmental stages. (Neuro)toxicity data is for most compounds lacking.

In many epidemiological studies exposure to pesticides is linked to the occurrence of sporadic PD and some compounds are shown to induce Parkinson related neurotoxic effects in various in vitro and in vivo models. Therefore it is necessary to investigate the possible neurotoxic effects of pesticides

Recent Publications (for reprint requests mail to r.westerink@uu.nl):

Dingemans, M.M.L., Heusinkveld, H.J., de Groot, A., Bergman, A., van den Berg, M., & Westerink, R.H.S. (2009) Hexabromocyclododecane inhibits depolarization-induced increase in intracellular calcium levels and neurotransmitter release in PC12 cells. Toxicological Sciences, 107, 490-497.